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 was asked if he was surprised how quickly he was ejected: "No, I'm surprised at how bad of an umpire he is." Angel Hernandez
— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) August 15, 2017
“He’s messing with baseball games, blatantly,” Kinsler said of Hernandez. “It has to do with changing the game. He’s changing the game.”
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) August 15, 2017
Kinsler also had some free of charge career advice for Hernandez.
Among other things, Kinsler said Hernandez, "Needs to find another job."
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) August 15, 2017
"No one wants you behind the plate anymore," Kinsler said. "No one in this game wants you behind the plate anymore, none of the players."
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) August 15, 2017
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.
Ian Kinsler's reaction to protest: "I hope they wear the white wristbands for the remainder of their careers. I don't care."
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) August 19, 2017
More Kinsler: "I said what I felt and what I thought. If they take offense to that, then that's their problem." https://t.co/0p7TXRdPxy
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) August 19, 2017
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus also was not too thrilled about the umpires protesting, especially because it seemed to be singling out his player.
Brad Ausmus was more angry than Kinsler: "To single out one player as a union is completely uncalled for."
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) August 19, 2017
Brad Ausmus: "There's now a giant spotlight on Ian Kinsler. Any missed call on Ian Kinsler, everyone's going to know about it."
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) August 20, 2017
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.
Ausmus on fine: "Not going to put a number on it. It's the biggest I've ever seen. So I don't want to hear that he's not being punished."
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) August 19, 2017
Whether you agree with Kinsler and Ausmus, or the umpires, you have to agree that Ian is going to continue to speak his mind.
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.
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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