When the big bats step on the field Tuesday night in the MLB All-Star game, Spokane Indians fans can look at the TV and say, "I've seen that guy play in person."
I'm talking, of course, about Ian Kinsler, who played for the Spokane Indians in 2003 before being called up the big leagues.
Kinsler is one of eight Texas Rangers on this year's Midsummer Classic team. The others include Josh Hamilton, Mike Napoli, Adrian Beltre, Yu Darvish, Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison and Joe Nathan. The Rangers have three more players on the roster than any other team in the league.
The Rangers are successful this year in large part because of the former Indian, who leads the American League in runs. He is also fifth in hits and seventh in stolen bases.
The Indians plan on recognizing Kinsler's accomplishments (three All-Star appearances since 2008) with the Ian Kinsler Bobblehead Giveaway on Friday, July 27 when Spokane hosts the Yakima Bears.
Tuesday's All-Star game is set for 4:30 p.m. (PT).
(Information from Spokane Indians)
Before he became a big star in Texas, Ian Kinsler played for the Spokane Indians in 2003 (Photo: via Spokane Indians)
