LOOK: Ian Kinlser’s response to umpire protest is absolute perfection

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MLB: Detroit Tigers at Atlanta Braves
Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) talks to an umpire after a strikeout against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler is known as a scrappy player who plays the game the right way and is not afraid to 100% effort on the field, even when his team is out of the playoff picture.

If you have paid attention to Kinsler’s comments to the media over the years, it’s clear he is not one to mince words. It’s refreshing to hear a professional athlete speak honestly about what is going on with his team.

This past Monday, Kinsler was ejected during the fifth inning of the Tigers game against the Texas Rangers after he had seen enough of Angel Hernandez’s inconsistent strike zone. Prior to the ejection, after taking a ball, Kinsler had some NSFW words for Hernandez.

Following the game, while talking to the media about how the ejection played out, Ian ripped Hernandez a new one.

Kinsler also had some free of charge career advice for Hernandez.

On Saturday, after finding out Kinsler would not be suspended for his comments about Hernandez, news broke that a group of umpires around the league would be wearing white wristbands in protest “verbal attacks” around the league.

After the Tigers 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kinsler was asked to give his thoughts on the umpire protest and his response was great.

 

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus also was not too thrilled about the umpires protesting, especially because it seemed to be singling out his player.

Ausmus also pointed out that it’s not like there was not a punishment for Kinsler, noting that there was a substantial fine handed down.

Whether you agree with Kinsler and Ausmus, or the umpires, you have to agree that Ian is going to continue to speak his mind.

 

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. I’ve loved Ian Kinsler ever since he played for Texas. When the Tigers got him I did a back flip. This dude plays HARD. if I was building a MLB franchise he would be my first pick for 2nd base. I hope the Tigers never trade him.

  2. Kinsler is a brute and a bully. Hurting that ump’s feelings like that? Apparently Ian doesn’t know or care that Hernandez has a mommy who probably cried herself to sleep after his twitter-rant. Umps have a hard job, trying to get every call right. 95% accuracy? That’s a high bar. Of course anyone who works in manufacturing, or at a pharmacy, or as an air traffic controller knows that 95% accuracy gets you fired Day 1, so yeah, the bar is pretty low for umps. But still, they have tender feewings, so be gentle, fans and ball players. Or grow a pair and insist on an electronic strike zone, and electronic home run and down the line calls. Because when Umps insert themselves into the game, when fans know their names, it’s time for them to go.

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