Ian Kinsler is a former professional baseball player who played primarily as a second baseman. He was born on June 22, 1982, in Tucson, Arizona, and attended Canyon del Oro High School in Oro Valley, Arizona. Kinsler went on to play college baseball at Central Arizona College and then transferred to Arizona State University.
Kinsler was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 17th round of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft. He made his Major League debut on April 3, 2006, and quickly established himself as a reliable player for the Rangers. In his rookie season, Kinsler hit .286 with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs in 120 games.
Over the course of his career, Kinsler played for several teams, including the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, and Boston Red Sox. He was a four-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove Award in 2016. Kinsler was also a member of the United States national baseball team that won the gold medal at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Kinsler was known for his versatility on the field, as he could play multiple positions, including second base, shortstop, and third base. He was also a solid hitter, with a career batting average of .269 and 257 home runs. Kinsler was particularly effective as a leadoff hitter, as he had a career on-base percentage of .337 and stole 243 bases.
Off the field, Kinsler was known for his work ethic and leadership. He was a respected veteran in the clubhouse and was often called upon to mentor younger players. Kinsler was also active in charitable work, including his involvement with the Strike Out Slavery campaign, which aims to raise awareness about human trafficking.
Kinsler announced his retirement from baseball on December 20, 2019, after 14 seasons in the Major Leagues. He finished his career with a .269 batting average, 257 home runs, and 909 RBIs. Kinsler was widely regarded as one of the best second basemen of his generation and will be remembered as a hard-working and dedicated player who always gave his best effort on the field.
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