It has been almost two years since Ian Kinsler played his last MLB game, back on August 12, 2019. He was 37 years old at the time, and playing with the San Diego Padres. At that point, it had already been two years since he last took the field with the Detroit Tigers, but it’s safe to say Kinsler has never been far from the hearts of Tigers fans.
Now Kinsler is looking to add Olympic medalist to his list of accomplishments, on the mantle with his World Series win (with the 2018 Boston Red Sox), his 2017 World Baseball Classic win (with Team USA), and four All-Star nods. In spite of retiring from MLB in 2019, Kinsler has not strayed far from baseball, and certainly isn’t resting on his laurels. Or resting at all.
In addition to a stint as an advisor to baseball operations for the Padres, Kinsler is also currently actively playing ball as a second baseman for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Now he is also one of eight former MLB players to sign on to play with Team Israel in the Summer Olympics.
Kinsler, who became an Israeli citizen last year, would have been eligible to play for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic, but opted to play for Team USA. Now he’s taking his chance to represent Israel at the Olympics. His role playing for the Long Island Ducks is to get him prepared to play with the Olympic team.
Kinsler, the last Tiger to wear jersey number 3 before it was retired for Alan Trammell, was well-loved during his tenure in Detroit, and even formed the bat company Warstic alongside Detroit-native Jack White.
Now he’s hoping to claim Olympic glory, and grabbing hold of one more opportunity to play the game he so clearly loves.
The Summer Olympics are due to begin July 23 in Tokyo, Japan.