Retired MLB Gold Glove winner Ian Kinsler plans to play for Israel at Tokyo Olympics

• It will not be clear when the 2020 Olympic Games will happen, however Ian Kinsler intends to signify Israel in Tokyo/

The Israel National Baseball Team launched a video on Monday to announce that retired Major League Baseball second baseman Ian Kinsler will play for the staff at the Tokyo Olympics.

The launch of the video got here on the identical day that International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound instructed USA TODAY Sports that the Olympics will probably be postponed till 2021.

Kinsler, eligible to play for Israel due to his Jewish heritage, introduced his retirement at the age of 37 in December after a 14-year MLB profession during which he earned 4 All-Star choices and two Gold Glove Awards.

He hit .269 with 257 dwelling runs, 909 RBIs and 243 stolen bases in 1,888 regular-season video games with the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres. Kinsler was a member of Boston’s 2018 World Series championship staff.

Kinsler got here up one hit in need of ending his profession with 2,000, and he additionally posted two seasons with at least 30 dwelling runs and 30 stolen bases. Kinsler is one in all 13 gamers in MLB historical past to have at least two 30-30 seasons. That listing contains fellow Jewish slugger Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Kinsler appeared in a career-low 87 video games in his solely season with the Padres in 2019 and hit simply .217 with 9 dwelling runs and 22 RBIs. He had his season come to an finish in mid-August due to a herniated cervical disc.

Published 24 Mar 2020, 00:30 IST