Ian Kinsler Makers History: Joins Exlcusive 30-30 Club

When second baseman Ian Kinsler hit a 3-run homer in the 8th inning on September 25th to seal the Rangers’ 8-3 win over the Rays, he also made history.  It was Kinsler’s 30th home run of the season which, when added to his total of 30 stolen bases, made him only the third second baseman in Major League Baseball history to total 30-or-more homers and 30-or-more stolen bases in a single season. 

Alfonso Soriano (Rangers ‘05, Yankees ’02, ‘03) and Brandon Phillips (Reds ‘07) are the only other members of the exclusive 30-30 club among Major League second basemen.

“I’d been sitting on 29 for half a month now, and it took a while to get the last one,” noted Kinsler.  “Everyone was behind me, wanting me to get it out of the way.  It took a little while to get that last one.  I wasn’t really pressing because you do the same things at the plate.”

The following night, Kinsler hit another homer in the Rangers’ 15-3 win over the Rays on September 26th.  Before his home run barrage against Rays pitchers, Kinsler had gone 20 games and 78 at-bats without hitting a round-tripper.

“Kins got the monkey off his back, he had great at-bats all night long,” said Rangers manager Ron Washington.

“30-30 is such an accomplishment,” said Rangers third baseman Michael Young.  “It’s an incredible season for Kinsler.  He never put his head down.  He kept charging.”

To mark the accomplishment, Kinsler decided to keep the baseball he sent into the stands on his 30th home run.  A female fan sitting in the outfield had the ball.  Kinsler traded her two autographed baseballs in exchange for the home run ball.

Kinsler said it’s one of only five baseballs he has kept as a major leaguer:  1) his first hit; 2) his first homer; 3) and 4) two balls from the night he went 6-for-6 in a game including hitting for the cycle); and 5) the 30th home run ball to join the 30-30 club.