Ian Kinsler

At 41 years old, Ian Kinsler has this physical status:

Ian Michael Kinsler (born June 22, 1982) is an American professional baseball second baseman for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB).

He has appeared for the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, and Boston Red Sox.

Kinsler was with the Red Sox when the team defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2018 World Series. Despite being drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has since been drafted as a member of the Sporting News' 2009 list of the 50 top current players in baseball.

In the same season (2009 and 2011), he has twice hit for average and power, as well as excelling in baserunning, throwing, and fielding.

For the third time in 2011, he played for the 20-20/20 club for the third time, one season behind the major league record for a second baseman.

In a 2009 game, he hit for the cycle in the first time, while still getting hits in all six of his at bats. Kinsler ruled the Texas Rangers for all time, career-wise, in stolen bases and power numbers through 2013.

In November 2013, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Prince Fielder.

He has been recognized both a Fielding Bible Award (2015) and two Gold Glove Awards (2016 and 2018).

Kinsler had the highest career range factor in any active second baseman in MLB through 2019, while on defense he came in third place in power-speed rankings and career runs scored, and fifth in career doubles.

With 1,999 hits, he ended the 2019 season.

Early life and high school

Kinsler was born in Tucson, Arizona, and was born to a Jewish father and a Catholic mother. Benjamin and Rose Künstlich, Kinsler's paternal great-grandparents, were born in Germany and immigrated to the United States in the 1930s to escape Europe's burgeoning antisemitism epidemic prior to World War II. Benjamin and Rose anglicized their last name to Kinsler by the time their son, Jack, was born in the United States, and was a warden at a state prison on Tucson's southeast side. Kinsler has a major influence. "Heather was four years old," Kinsler's father told him, "get under them like he's been doing it his whole life."

His father was coached him until high school, and it was particularly difficult. When Kinsler was 13 years old and the best player on a PONY league team coached by his father who was competing for a championship, his dad caught him rolling his eyes as he gave the team orders. "I benched him without hesitation," his father said. The team lost the game after Kinsler was on the bench.

Kinsler was up for a challenge in terms of physical fitness. "I've had asthma my whole life," Kinsler said. "When I was younger, it was difficult." I woke up a lot and couldn't breathe, so I had to go to the hospital in the middle of the night. It took me right back to athletics. I still have it, but I do have it. Now I use an atomizer or an inhaler. When I was younger, I used this breathing machine... I hated it. "I always wanted to run around and be healthy."

He graduated from Canyon del Oro High School in the Tucson suburb of Oro Valley, Arizona, in 2000. Kinsler was a member of the National Guard in 1997 and 2000. During his senior year, he hit.380 as a junior, earning second-team All-League awards, and.504 with 5 home runs and 26 stolen bases, while in which he was named first-team All-League and first-team All-League. Four of his high school teammates made it to the major leagues: Brian Anderson (his best friend in high school), Scott Hairston, Chris Duncan, and Shelley Duncan. In 2019, he was inducted into the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame.

Personal life

Kinsler identifies himself as Jewish; his father is Jewish; and his mother is Catholic. He was included in the 2008 Hank Greenberg 75th Anniversary Edition of Jewish Major Leaguers Baseball Cards, which was licensed by Major League Baseball, honoring the Jewish major leaguers from 1871 to 2008. He joined, among others, teammate Scott Feldman, Brad Ausmus, Kevin Youkilis, Gabe Kapler, Jason Marquis, John Grabow, Craig Breslow, and Scott Schoeneweis. "Youkilis will always say something to me on the bases [referring to the fact that they are both Jewish]. 'Happy Passover,' he'll throw something at me." He beat Shawn Green in 2013 and became Israel's all-time career steals leader. His 243 steals led the career-long list of Jewish major leaguers (right behind Ryan Braun), his 416 doubles ranked him second, second behind Shawn Green, his 257 home runs, and 909 RBIs finished him fourth (behind Gordon) and his 693 triples placed him sixth sixth, behind Gordon, who placed him fourth, behind Gordon Green. His 31 steals in 2009 were the third-most steals by a Jewish ballplayer in a season, behind Shawn Green's 35 picks and Ryan Braun's 41 in 2011.

"I would be able to play for Team Israel" in the 2013 World Baseball Classic because of his father's Jewish roots, Kinsler said: "I would be able to play for Team Israel" and "I would be able to play for Israel." The truth is that I will have a difficult decision to make if Team USA makes a bid to play for them. Youk [Kevin Youkilis], Braun [Milwaukee's Ryan Braun], and I might make a fantastic team. I'm positive I'll talk about it over with Youk – we always laugh at things like this."

On November 18, 2006, Kinsler married Tess Brady, his high school sweetheart. Rian Bron Kinsler's daughter was born on December 5, 2008. On June 8, 2011, his wife gave birth to Jack Jamisson Kinsler, the country's youngest son. Due to his birth, he was put on paternity leave.

In 2008, Kinsler received the Jim Sundberg Community Achievement Award for his service to the local community in a significant way.

Kinsler immigrated to Egypt in March 2020 and became an Israeli citizen.

Kinsler was one of five torch bearers of the 2022 Maccabiah Games at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem in July 2022.

Source

Minor league career (2003–05)

Kinsler signed quickly and debuted as a shortstop in 2003. In his pro debut for the Spokane Indians in the Short-season Northwest League, he batted.277 in 188 at-bats, while leading the team in steals (11) and triples (6). He spent the winter of 2003–04 in Arizona, helping with the Rangers' strength and conditioning coaches. "I was probably 170 pounds, and I decided I should lift, put on some weight, and eat as much as I could," the guy said. "I learned how to hit" and "didn't know how to hit."

Kinsler had climbed to the top of the Prospect Hot Sheet in baseball America by early 2004. He was described as having "extraordinary plate discipline, power, and...being] a solid defensive shortstop," according to ESPN's John Sickels.

In 2004, he had a breakout year. He split the season between two clubs, beginning with the Low-A Clinton LumberKings, for which he hit.402/.692 in 224 at bats. Kinsler was elected to start at shortstop for the Midwest Division All Star team, while he was leading the way in batting, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, hits, extra-base hits, and runs scored, but did not play as he was promoted. He was named both the most exciting ballplayer and the top-ten prospects in the league by Baseball America. When a friend asked him what the key was to his fame, he replied, "Dude, I have no idea."

Kinsler was promoted to the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders on June 12, two levels up from the previous manager. "A million things were going through my head when I first heard called up," he said. "I was anxious, my hands were sweating." It was really exciting, but I had no idea what to expect. I was a little worried that... all of a sudden, I wouldn't be able to hit." He was named Younger Player of the Month in June.

Frisco manager Tim Ireland observed:

The Rangers decided to send Kinsler and prospect right-hander Erik Thompson to the Colorado Rockies in July, but Walker denied it.

In 277 at bats, he hit.300/.480 for Frisco. If he had enough plate appearances to qualify for the championship, he would have ranked third in OBP, seventh in slugging percentage, and eighth in the league's batting rankings, as he was short by about 60 percent. Kinsler has been rated the best prospect in the Texas League by Baseball America.

Kinsler finished second in the minor leagues in doubles (51), while eighth in batting average (3.45) and ninth in hits (173). He had 20 home runs, 103 runs, 98 RBIs, 18 HBP, 18 HBP, and 23 steals. "Fifty... A lot of guys don't have 50 singles," Rangers boss Buck Showalter marveled at Kinsler's 51 doubles.

He was rated No. 1 in Baseball America as the No. 1. The No. 4 Rangers was a case of no. 4. Two players in the minors and a second-team Minor League All Star are among the prospects in the Minor League. Kinsler was also named a Sports Weekly All Star and the Rangers' Tom Grieve Minor League Player of the Year. In addition,, he was named with the first annual Diamond in the Rough Award, which honors a minor leaguer who "defies the odds" and makes his way from anonymity to prospect success during a breakout season. "It's fun to go to the ballpark every day when you are playing well baseball," Kinsler said.

Sickels enriched his scouting report on Kinsler by announcing that he was "a good athlete, not super-toolsy," but that his speed was a notch above average." His swing was short, quick, and sharp...Overall, he is a solid all-around player who plays to the best of his natural ability."

Kinsler spent the winter of 2004-05 for the Peoria Sagaro of the Arizona Fall League, improving his versatility by starting at second base. He hit.306/.369/.500. "It's like he's swinging a Wiffleball bat out there," a scout in Arizona said.

He was invited to the parent club's 2005 spring training, he hit.327 while slugging.612. Kinsler spent 2005 with the Oklahoma RedHawks, progressing from shortstop to second base in the case that Alfonso Soriano does not play second base for the major league team. The first blow to Kinsler's confidence was difficult, but the switch for him was the most difficult part of the transition. In the 2005 Triple-A Home Run Derby, he was named to the mid-season Pacific Coast League All Star team in June and came in a close second to Mitch Jones in a close second.

In 530 at bats, he hit.274 with 23 home runs, 102 runs (tied for tenth in the minor leagues), 94 RBIs, and 12 steals in 14 attempts. Kinsler ranked 98th on the Baseball America Top 100 Prospects list, placing 98th. On the other hand, he maintained an on-line journal for MinorLeagueBaseball.com during the season.

Major league career

Kinsler won the Rangers' starting second base job in spring training over Mark DeRosa, with Alfonso Soriano traded in the off-season. "Ian Kinsler came as advertised," Showalter said.

Curt Schilling hit him on his first major league appearance against the Boston Red Sox on April 3, 2006, giving him his first major league hit in his first major league appearance at bat.

Kinsler said:

He dislocated his left thumb sliding head-first into second base on April 11, 2006 and was put on the disabled list. "I knew it wasn't fair when I looked down and saw the top part of the thumb pointed at me," Kinsler said. He came back 41 games later on May 25, four runs on a single and two home runs, leading the Rangers to an 8–7 victory over the Oakland Athletics. He chuckled, "I hope the fans don't expect that much every night."

Though Kinsler started the season batting ninth in the lineup, his successor, Joe Showalter, moved him to seventh in June. "I believe as Ian's career progresses, he'll move up in the batting order," Showalter predicted. He appeared in 31 games, 30 batting eighth, 20 batting sixth, 19 batting ninth, 2 batting third, and 1 batting fifth on the season.

Kinsler retired in 2006 with a.286 batting average, 14 home runs, 55 RBIs, and a team-leading 11 stolen bases in 423 at bats. He batted.300 with runners in scoring position and.300 with runners in scoring position, and.300 when the game was tied. He led all AL rookies with 27 doubles, and his.454 slugging percentage was the seventh-best in a season since 2000 by an AL rookie with at least 400 at bats. In August, defensively, he tied a team record by playing five double plays in a single game. In both range factor (5.58) and errors (18), he also led all American League (AL) second basemen in both range factor (5.58) and errors (18). He was named Rookie of the Year by the Texas Rangers in 2006.

Kinsler spent time in 2006-07 on his legs to increase his speed, tenacity, and agility. He hit.429, led the AL in RBIs (19), and was sixth in the major leagues in hits in spring training (27).

Kinsler's ferocious hitting continued into the season, and he was named AL Player of the Week for the week ending April 15. With four home runs, eight RBIs, seven runs scored, and a 1.095 slugging percentage, he batted.476 (10-for-21) this week. His nine home runs in April tied for the most single month by a Major League second baseman (shared by Iván Rodrán (2000), Alex Rodriguez (2002), and Carl Everett (2003)). "I'm trying to get good swings on the ball, and if it goes out, it goes out," Kinsler said. He batted.298 with 22 RBIs for the month, and was also named Rangers' Player of the Month for April.

Kinsler's left foot suffered a stress fracture on July 2, and he did not return to action until July 31, and missed 26 games. On August 25, he had eight plate appearances in a nine-inning game (a 33-0 win over Baltimore) — his first major league record.

Kinsler's 2007 home runs total rate was 20-for-25 in stolen base attempts (a 92% success rate). He was the sixth franchise star to reach the 20-century mark, joining Alfonso Soriano (1999), Rafael Palmeiro (1993), and Toby Harrah (1975 and 1977). Despite his exhaustion caused him to miss at bats, he did it. The Rangers' 23 stolen bases and 96 runs led to the Rangers' success.

Kinsler finished seventh in the AL in power/speed rankings (21.4), his ninth in sacrifice hits (8) and picks of third base (4), and tied for tenth in bunt hits (5). He also ranked fourth in third (4), eighth in line drive percentage (23%), and tied for ninth in sacrifice hits (8), ranking fourth in fourth in steals of third (4), eighth in line drive percentage (23%). He quickly climbed in the batting order, scoring second in 48 games, leadoff in 26, seventh in 24, and eighth in second in 9. Kinsler led the league in second basemen in the league in total score (5.69), winning the league for the second year in a row.

Kinsler signed a five-year contract worth $22 million backed with a $10 million option for 2013. The deal was the first one that the Rangers had ever made to a player they drafted and developed. "Ian represents the past, present, and future of this company," assistant general manager Thad Levine said.

Kinsler said, "It's a lot of money." "I've never imagined being in this situation in my life." "This is a big day for me and my family," he explained. "I've been working my whole life to this point," my dad first started beating me out in the backyard and started throwing the baseball with me."

When Rangers manager Ron Washington eventually committed to Kinsler as the team's leadoff hitter in 2008, Kinsler was ecstatic. "I didn't think he was the prototype leadoff hitter, but the guy proved me wrong," Washington said. "He'll take a walk or have one run for us with just a single swing of the bat." He can bunt, he can run, and he can hit the ball from the other side."

Kinsler had the highest stolen-base percentage (88.5%) of any Rangers/Senators ever since 1980, with at least 40 attempts by mid-May 2008. Kinsler said, "It's part of my sport." "It's not one of the first things I'm known for." His ability on the basepaths, according to scouts, is due to his inherent intelligence and his "twitch speed" rather than his pure running speed. Kinsler goes from first to third faster than anyone else because he has God-given the ability to read the ball so well off the bat," Grouse says.

During a mid-June rain delay at Shea Stadium, Kinsler hopped to his feet, raced from the dugout and didve head-first across the wet tarp covering the infield as if it was a huge Slip 'n Slide.' Four teammates followed, with the New York Mets fans receiving a huge applause. They were led out of the field by Shea Stadium security, triggering a roar of boos. "We had some good routines running," Kinsler said. "It was amazing."

At the 79th All Star Game at Yankee Stadium, Kinsler was a 2008 All Star All Star. To that point, it was his most exciting moment in baseball. He was voted in by his peers as a reserve. Dustin Pedroia, who gained nearly 1.3 million votes, defeated him by 34,243 votes in the fan voting. Kinsler went 1-for-5 in the game and stole a base. He was called out attempting to take another base, but replays revealed that the umpire had missed the call. For the first half of the season, Washington Post and ESPN baseball writer Jayson Stark selected Kinsler as the AL MVP.

In June and July, Kinsler had his best 25-game winning streak in MLB history. Gabe Kapler has the team's best hitting streak of 28 years.

Kinsler was leading the AL in batting average (3.91), runs (90), total bases (232), at bats (438), and plate appearances (499). He also finished second in doubles (37) and power/speed number (17.9), third in sacrifices (7), sixth in singles (90), sixth in triples (4), seventh in stolen bases (.392), and eighth in OPS (.922). "Kinsler," Seattle Mariners left fielder Ral Ibayez said, "is the engine that makes that offense go."

On August 17, however, he fractured the left side of his groin on a defensive play, requiring a sports hernia that necessitated season-ending surgery. He missed the season's last 37 games. "I really didn't have a decision," Kinsler said. "I want to get to the point of injury," the doctor says.

Kinsler went from first to third base in 2008, despite missing the last six weeks of the season; third base in steals of third base (18.319) and power/speed number (21.3), fifth in steals of third base (18), ninth in third base (19.319) and fourth in steals of third base (23), and seventh in steals of third base (18). (24%) and highest line drive percentage (10.1 percent of all plate appearances), ninth in runs (102) and OPS (.892), eighth in sacrifice hits (10.1%) and tenth in stolen bases (26), sixth in runs (91 percent) and lowest strikeout percentage (11.5% at bats), sixth in line drive percentage (90%), ninth in runs (92%), ninth in sacrifice runs (10.83%) and tenth in stolen bases (14), eighth in runs (102.2 percent of at bats (8) and ninth in bats

In scoring position, he scored at.413 with runners. In both 2007, and 2008, he was one of only three batters in the AL to have at least 18 home runs and 18 stolen bases, as well as Alex Rodriguez and Grady Sizemore. His 41 doubles came in second in franchise history, behind Alfonso Soriano's 43 in 2005. He had a.377 on-base percentage as a leadoff hitter, the third-best mark in the AL, and his.521 slugging percentage was the highest for a leadoff batter in the American League. Kinsler's.381 on-base percentage as a leadoff hitter during the 2005-08 seasons was the fourth-highest in the major leagues.

"Most hitters have [a location] that you can exploit," All Star pitcher Justin Duchscherer said. In "This guy has a problem with fastballs." This guy has a hard time breaking balls down. [Kinsler] hasn't been to a hole like this one." He led all major league second basemen with a 5.77 range factor and 123 double plays in the field, but also in mistakes with 18.

Before his injury, writers at ESPN, the Dallas News, and the Washington Post had named Kinsler as an MVP candidate. If not for the sports hernia that cut his 2008 campaign short a month and a half, he may have compared Pedroia for MVP. "I think he just missed having an MVP year," manager Ron Washington said. "If luck [had] been] on our team and he [had] been] healthy, he may have gone away with it." He was awarded a single 10th-place vote from Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in the end.

Kinsler was ranked # 24 on the Sporting News' list of the top current players in baseball in 2009. A selection of 100 baseball professionals, many of whom were members of the Baseball Hall of Fame and recipients of major baseball awards, was chosen to appear on the list.

Kinsler hit for the fourth time in a game against the Baltimore Orioles on April 15, 2009, becoming the fourth Ranger to do so (and, at the time, the only right-handed Ranger). Kinsler was the first player in Ranger history to reach six hits in a single game (the first being Alfonso Soriano on May 8, 2004), and the first to do so in a 9-inning game. The game's five runs and four extra base hits tied for two other team records.

Marlon Byrd, a teammate, said, "It was a thing of beauty." "I loved it." Kinsler's two appearances were the first in the modern baseball era. William Farmer Weaver, the Louisville Colonels' last major league player to hit for the cycle while hitting for the cycle for the sixth time in a game, was the last major league player to have six hits in a game. Kinsler's 13 total bases were just one base behind Jose Canseco's team record of June 13, 1994. In a game, only three other players in the last 55 years had six hits, five runs, and four extra-base hits, the most notable of which being Shawn Green of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002.

On April 20, 2009, Kinsler was named AL co-Player of the Week. In 30 plate appearances this week, he led the major leagues in batting average (.556), hits (15), extra base hits (7), and runs (9), and tied for the lead in doubles (4). With a triple, two home runs, and six stolen bases, he also had a 1.000 on-base percentage and a 1.000 slugging percentage. Hank Blalock, a teammate, said, "He's incredible."

Kinsler led the first inning against Houston on June 16 for his ninth career leadoff homer, beating the club record of eight, which was posted by Mike Hargrove, Oddibe McDowell, and Michael Young. Kinsler stole third base in the fifth inning, a club record for career thefts at 18. In addition, Kinsler had never been caught on third attempt to rob third. Kinsler was named as his "first quarter MVP" by ESPN's Rick Paulas.

Kinsler led the AL in home runs (19) and total bases (38) through July 1, the third in home runs (195) and at bats (307), seventh in sacrifice flies (38) and sacrifices (9) while batting.359 against left-handers and.333 with runners on base.

Kinsler barely made the AL All-Star team. Although he led all AL second basemen as of June 30, with 2,170,100 fan votes (fifth-most votes of all AL players, just behind Dustin Pedroia's 2,163,270), Pedroia declared him first on the final day in last-minute polling. Then, who just missed being a reserve in player voting, finished second, this time to Toronto's Aaron Hill. He was in his third chance as an AL All Star team and Tampa Bay boss Joe Maddon did not select him as a reserve. In the Sprint Final Vote competition for the final spot on the team, he missed his fourth chance to make the team, finishing second to Brandon Inge of the Tigers in second place. Pedroia's first opportunity presented itself when Pedroia opted out of the All Star Game to spend time with his pregnant wife — and because Kinsler had finished second in fan voting in player voting, he seemed to be a good candidate to replace his fellow second baseman. Maddon replaced Pedroia, Tampa Bay's first baseman, who had been leading the league in homers but not batting.228 (and third in third place, behind Kinsler and Chone Figgins) with a one of his own. Evan Longoria died as a result of a finger injury, but Maddon (a former Angels coach) selected another person as a replacement, this time Figgins of the Angels, who had finished third in the Final Vote competition (behind Kinsler).

"Maddon spent his time as the AL All Star boss, finding new and innovative ways to give Ian Kinsler the middle finger," Bleacher Reports' Andrew Nuschler reported. Jacob Osterhout of Sports Illustrated took note, writing: "According to this article, Jacob Osterhout of Sports Illustrated took note."

Kinsler, his colleague, and close friend Michael Young wore wristbands with Kinsler's number 5 at the All Star Game.

Kinsler claimed third base for the 21st time in his career on July 11, extending his team's record for not being kicked out. Kinsler suffered a tight left hamstring on July 28, and he missed 11 games while on the disabled list.

On September 25, Kinsler, who already had 30 stolen bases, scored his 30th home run, making him the only major leaguer to join the team in 2009 and the 34th major leaguer ever. He was the second player in Rangers' history to play 30–30 seasons (joining Alfonso Soriano), and Soriano (who also played in 2002 and 2003 for the Yankees) and Brandon Phillips (2006) as the only 30-30 second basemen in Major League history. Michael Young said, "It's an amazing achievement." "I've worked with guys who have had some amazing seasons here, but 30-30 is something special." He deserves a lot of credit. He was battling all season long. The key thing is what distinguishes the best players from the rest of the pack."

With a 31.0, he led the AL in power-speed#. He had the second-highest steal success rate among active players with at least 100 attempts during 2009 (91-of-104). Carlos Beltrán was the best in the world at 88.3%. He explained his takeaway bases: "It takes the art of stealing away whether you're four runs up or four runs down," the opposing team's concern is not stolen bases but stolen bases. The plan is to rob them "when you need them."

He also had a keen eye on the plate. Of 15 Rangers who had at least 100 at bats, his average of only one strike out at 8.31 at bats was the highest on the team. In the same manner, he maintained contact on 87% of his swings, the highest contact rate on the team.

He had 13 home runs against lefties (2nd in the league), stole third base 11 times (3rd), and had 5 bunt hits (10th). On defense, he was the second baseman in "zone runs" (17), was second in assists (4.86), and fifth in putouts (249).

In December 2009, Washington said Kinsler would bat second in 2010. "I think Kinsler performs better when he's in the mix in the first inning," Washington said. "I think it takes a lot away from him" when he has to wait for a lot. However, by early March, it was announced that he would bat fifth. However, Washington said that doing so will not stop Kinsler from running: "I will not slow him down." He is a threat. I would not take it away that threat. "I'm not stopping Kins," says the narrator. Kinsler was to move up to the top of the lineup on days when Julio Borbon was not batting leadoff. Kinsler began 60 games batting 3rd, 20 games batting 5th, 16 games batting 6th, and six games leading off.

Kinsler slipped on a patch of wet grass in spring training, while batting.400. He rolled his right ankle and sustained a sprain of the ligaments over it (called a "high ankle sprain"), as well as a tiny bone bruise at the back of his ankle. He missed three weeks of spring training and started the season on the disabled list, but the season was still on the disabled list. "We miss his presence," Washington said. We're out of luck with his fright. We're missing what he does on the defensive end. His leadership is missing." He made his first appearance on April 30, his first appearance of the season, after missing the first 20 games of the season.

With a.412 on-base percentage (4th in the AL), he was selected as a reserve to the 2010 American League All Star team, his second All Star Game. "It's a huge honor," an appreciative Kinsler said. In fan voting behind Robinson Canó and Pedroia, he came in third, but Pedroia was hurt, and Kinsler was selected to replace him. In AL second basemen polling by AL players, he had also placed second place. He went on the disabled list again on July 29, this time for a strained left groin, and was not reactivated until September 1.

Kinsler finished the season batting.286, with a career-best on-base percentage of.382. His.995 fielding percentage was the fifth highest in the league, and he had the highest career range factor/game of all active major league second basemen (5.201). He appeared in only 103 games during his two stints on the disabled list.

Kinsler batted.444/.944 in five games against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round of the playoffs, leading the majors with 3 home runs (tied) and 6 RBIs in the division series. In all five games, he hit safely and scored a run, leaving Boston's Nomar Garciaparra as the only two players to start their post-season games with at least one strike and one run—and with at least one hitting and one run in each of five consecutive games. It was the second time in Major League history that two teammates scored three home runs in a postseason sequence of five games or fewer (the other two players to do it were Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in the 1928 World Series). Kinsler batted.342 in 9 of 11 games, a playoff-high 9 RBIs, 6 runs, 2 stolen bases, an OBP of.409, and an OPS of 1.067.

Kinsler made history by becoming the first player in major league history to win in the first two games of a season (giving him a total of 15 lead-off home runs in his career). In his next game against the Red Sox, he hit another home run in the third inning. In all three games in a season, Kinsler and Nelson Cruz were also the first two teammates to homer. In the first three games of the season, the two also met Dean Palmer (1992) as the only Texas ballplayers to ever homer.

Kinsler tied for his ninth leadoff home run of the season in September, which he set in 2009. He made his 20th career leadoff homer, becoming the 34th player in major league baseball to reach at least 20 people in history. His 20 lead-off homers were the 6th-most behind Alfonso Soriano (31), Hanley Ramrez (24), Rickie Weeks (24), and Rickie Weeks (24).

He stole 28 consecutive bases without being caught, breaking his own club record, which he had set in 2007–08.

For the second time, Kinsler joined the 30-30 club for the second time. He was the 12th player in major league history to have multiple 30-30 seasons. Alfonso Soriano, Howard Johnson, and Jeff Bagwell were the only two other infielders in major league history with multiple 30-30 seasons as of 2011. For the third time in his career, he was also a member of the 20-20/20 (home runs–steals) club. Joe Morgan, who played for it for four seasons, is the only second baseman to have played for the 20-20 team more times.

Kinsler was 2nd in the American League in runs scored (121; the fifth-highest season total in Rangers' history), 5th in home runs (32; a career high) and walks (89), and 9th in stolen bases (30) and extra base hits (70). He came in third place (31.0), behind Jacoby Ellsbury and Curtis Granderson, and had the highest walk-to-strikeouts ratio in the major leagues, with 1.25 walks per strikeout. His career range factor of 5.092 was the highest among active second basemen in the United States, and he led AL second basemen in double plays in 2011 with 103.

His 136 bases stolen bases in Rangers history, behind Bump Wills (161) and Toby Harrah (143), and his career stolen base percentage was third-highest among active players with at least 120 attempts.

His 124 home runs ranked fifth among the first six years of any second baseman's career, behind Dan Uggla (183), Joe Gordon (142), Chase Utley (130), and Alfonso Soriano (126).

Kinsler led the Rangers 4–3 victory over Tampa Bay on October 4, in Game 4 of the playoff series against the Rays.

The Rangers gave Kinsler a five-year, $75 million contract extension in April 2012, as well as a $5 million buyout if the team did not choose up the option. With a $13 million salary in 2013, the team's $10 million option for 2013 was cut back, but it paid him $16 million in 2014 and 2015, $11 million in 2017, and $11 million in 2017. A team option in 2018 could be guaranteed at $12 million and include a $5 million buyout. Kinsler became the highest-paid second baseman in baseball thanks to his service.

In 2012, Kinsler was named a All Star for the third time. He was second in plate appearances (731), third in at bats (655) and runs (105), fourth in doubles (42), and eighth in hit by pitch (111).

Kinsler struck out once every 10.4 plate appearances in 2013, making him the third-toughest batter to strike out in the American League, and the sixth-toughest batter to double up in the league (109.0 at bats/double play). He finished fifth in leadoff home runs this season. He was the Texas Rangers' fifth in stolen bases (172), fifth in doubles (249), and ninth in RBIs (439), all-time (439). He was rated as the 56th best baserunner in baseball history by Fangraphs.

He was inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in 2022. Kevin Kinsler is the king of Rangers.

In November 2013, Kinsler was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Prince Fielder in a one-for-one trade of All-Stars, with the Tigers offering Texas $30 million to compensate part of the player's compensation. Alan Trammell was recognized by the Tigers in the ### match.

Kinsler was named to his fourth All-Star team in 2014 as a replacement for an injured Victor Martinez. He led the American League in at bats (684; also an all-time Tigers record), fifth in runs scored (188) and doubles (40), and seventh in power-speed rankings (17.9) for the fifth time in his career. He was the 10th batter in the American League to strike out (once per 9.19 plate appearances), and he was one of seven AL players to hit at least 15 home runs and rob at least 15 bases.

He led the AL in putouts (290) and third in fielding percentage (0.98), which was the highest among all second basemen. Kinsler had the highest career range factor of any active second baseman in Major League Baseball through 2014, at 4.881.

Kinsler was named "Wilson Defensive Player of the Year" for second base on November 5, 2014.

Kinsler's first appearance in his career on September 10, 2015, one off Bryan Shaw of the Cleveland Indians. He hit.296, his highest batting average since hitting a career-high.319 average in 2008, while still collecting 11 home runs and 73 RBIs. He led the major leagues in multi-hit games (61), was fourth in hits (185), 6th in at bats (624), and 10th in at bats (948), and 10th in at bats (98) and at-bats-per-strike out (70.8).

He finished second in the AL in putouts (289), assists (425), and double plays (109) among all second basemen. His single-season defensive WARs in 2014 (2.9) and 2015 (2.6%) were the second- and seventh best in the Tigers' history. Kinsler was named the best-fielding second baseman in baseball by the Fielding Bible Award following the 2015 season. According to Fangraphs, his 19 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) were six better than any other Major League second baseman this season. His 6.3 Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) was the highest in the American League and second only to Miami's Dee Gordon. According to the Baseball Reference database, he ranked him 8th out of all Major League players regardless of rank. According to The Fielding Bible, Kinsler had 50 defensive runs saved over the past three seasons. From Colorado's DJ LeMahieu, the next best total among Major League second basemen was 29.

In mid-May 2016, he became the first player in Tigers history to hit home runs from the leadoff position in the batting order in four straight games. Kinsler's 200th home run was recorded in his career, off Danny Farquhar of the Tampa Bay Rays. Kinsler retired as the third active member of the Major Leagues and the 40th overall, with 200 home runs, 1,000 runs scored, 1,600 hits, and 200 stolen bases. Kinsler's eighth lead-off home run of the season on September 30 surpassed Curtis Granderson's record. The homer was also Kinsler's 28th birthday of the year, tying Lou Whitaker's 1989 record for most basemans.

With a batt of 83 RBIs, he was fourth in the American League in runs (117) and hit by pitch (13), 9th in power-speed number (18.7), and 10th in hits (178). His 40 career leadoff home runs at year's end were the seventh-most in Major League Baseball history.

He was second in range factor/9 innings (5.09), second in putouts (303) and assists (432), and 5th in fielding percentage (3.9%) and double plays (109). Kinsler was named Gold Glove Award winner for second base, the first of his career, following the season. Kinsler and Dustin Pedroia tied for first basemen in AL in 2016, with 12 DRS. Only Pedroia (12.5) was trailed by Kinsler's 8.5 UZR. Kinsler had the highest career range factor among any active second baseman in Major League Baseball through 2016.

Kinsler spent some time in 2017 before going on the disabled list in late May due to a left hamstring strain. Kinsler was fined $10,000 by MLB for making critical remarks about umpire ngel Hernández after Hernández banned Kinsler from a game against the Texas Rangers in August. Hernández had described him as a bad umpire and "needs to find another career." Kinsler slammed 22 home runs in 139 games, but averaged a career-low.236 batting average.

Kinsler, Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox, and Brian Dozier of the Twins were among the first two named Gold Glove finalists at second base in 2017. Despite Dozier's winning, despite Kinsler's improved Ultimate Zone Rating (6.1; leading AL second basemen), and being much more efficient in Defensive Runs Saved, with a plus-six (leading AL second basemen) than Dozier's minus-four.

Kinsler's fWAR in his four seasons in Detroit ranked third among Major League second basemen, behind José Altuve and Dozier, and his 57 Defensive Runs Saved were 27 more than the next highest second baseman.

In exchange for minor league center fielder Troy Montgomery and pitching prospect Wilkel Hernandez, the Tigers traded Kinsler to the Los Angeles Angels on December 13, 2017.

Kinsler's last leadoff home run of his career, beating Rickey Henderson, Alfonso Soriano, and Craig Biggio, tied for fourth all-time on June 19, 2018. Kinsler batted.239 with 13 home runs, 49 runs, 32 RBIs, and 9 stolen bases in 91 games with the 2018 Angels.

The Angels traded Kinsler and cash considerations to the Boston Red Sox for Williams Jerez and Ty Buttrey on July 30, 2018, with the two teams splitting the remainder of Kinsler's $11 million salary.

Kinsler batted.242 with 1 home run, 16 RBIs, and 7 stolen bases in 132 at bats in 37 regular season games with the Red Sox. In 2018, he finished second among all American League second basemen in Defensive Runs Saved (10), and second in SABR Defensive Index (8.84), placing third in zone rating (.832). In the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kinsler claimed a World Series ring.

Kinsler was named the Gold Glove Award winner for second base following the season. It was his second Gold Glove Award of his career.

In each of the previous 13 seasons since 2006, he became the first player in the American League to steal more than ten bases, as well as the only one to score more than 60 runs.

Kinsler signed an $8 million, two-year contract with the San Diego Padres on December 20, 2018. The team has been offered a $3.5 million buyout for the 2021 season.

Kinsler's season came to an end early because he sustained a herniated disc in his neck. He batted.217/.368 in 258 at bats in 2019, with 28 runs, 9 home runs, and 22 RBIs in 258 at bats, as well as pitching one shutout inning. With 1,999 hits, he ended the season.

Kinsler had the highest career defensive range factor per game of any active second baseman in Major League Baseball through 2019. (4.71). He was 3rd in power-speed # (249.8) and fifth in career runs scored (1,243), and 5th in career doubles (416).

Kinsler pitched in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 12, 2019, pitching a scoreless batter, and then going for a home run in the bottom half of the game. It will be his last game in the major leagues.

Front office career

Kinsler announced on December 20, 2019, that he had completed his playing career and then turned to a baseball operations manager in the Padres front office, and that his subsequent move into a baseball operations manager was announced. He and the Padres also agreed to the $4.25 million left on his deal for 2020. With 257 home runs, 909 RBIs, and 243 stolen bases, he came to an end of his 14-year career.

International career

Kinsler participated in the 2017 World Baseball Classic as a member of Team USA and received a gold medal in the tournament.

Kinsler obtained Israeli citizenship and joined Team Israel in March 2020. The team qualified to play baseball in Tokyo during the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Kinsler, 20,21, in preparation for the games (which were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He played with the team from July 2 to July 8, after which he joined Team Israel in the Northeastern United States on a barnstorming tour to help prepare for Tokyo.

In the summer of 2021, Kinsler served second base for Team Israel at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He batted four for 18, hitting.222/.444 with a double and a home run. Overall, Team Israel defeated Mexico in Round 1 of the knockout stage, but the Dominican Republic and South Korea both dropped out, effectively ending them from the competition.

Beginning in March 11–15, Israel will compete in the 2023 World Baseball Classic in Miami. The team will be led by Kinsler.

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