What Will Ian Kinsler do for Rangers?
The Texas Rangers have hired Ian Kinsler as a special assistant to general manager Chris Young.
So … what exactly does that mean? Because the Rangers have five other special assistants — Ivan Rodriguez, Michael Young, Darren Oliver, Colby Lewis and Nick Hundley.
Turns out, according to Chris Young, each special assistant’s role is kind of the same.
“Similar to our other special assistants, (Kinsler) will be heavily involved in player development, we’ll involve him in player personnel discussions and decisions," Young said. "There will be mentorship. He’ll be heavily involved in the leadership and the personnel development for both staff and players.
“We want to take his wisdom, what he’s experienced over the course of his career, the success he had and then help someone else do the same.”
Kinsler is a Rangers Hall of Famer, receiving the honor last year.
Kinsler played eight seasons for the Rangers, hitting .273 with 156 home runs and 539 RBI. He was a three-time All-Star and helped the Rangers reach the World Series in 2010 and 2011, their first appearances in the Fall Classic.
Kinsler also became the fourth Ranger for the cycle while going 6-for-6 on April 15, 2009, which also happened to be Jackie Robinson Day. He had at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases for the Rangers twice and left the franchise as its stolen base leader.
After he was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Prince Fielder after the 2013 season, Kinsler played four seasons in Detroit, earning another All-Star Game berth and winning his first Gold Glove. He spent 2018 with the Los Angeles Angels before he was traded to the Boston Red Sox. He helped the Red Sox win the 2018 World Series, along with former Rangers teammate Mitch Moreland, before he ended his career in 2019 with San Diego.
But Kinsler started his professional career as a 17th round of the 2003 MLB Draft and needed more than two years to get through the Rangers minor-league system before making the 2006 Opening Day roster and replacing Alfonso Soriano.
Kinsler doesn’t just have his lessons as a Major Leaguer to offer. He also has his journey, which started with little fanfare.
“I wasn’t a first-round pick, this wasn’t like a red-carpet kind of thing for me here,” Kinsler said. “So the amount of people that have had an impact on my career might be a little bit greater than most people.”
Kinsler hopes to pass that on to another generation of Rangers.
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