Prior to Game 3 of the ALCS on Wednesday night, former Texas Rangers All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
It was extra special as he was sporting a Team Israel jersey in the process.
Former Rangers star Ian Kinsler threw out the first pitch in a Team Israel jersey. ⚾️🇮🇱 #ALCS pic.twitter.com/K7XTgbOcWU
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 19, 2023
Here’s how the MLB world reacted.
Ian Kinsler threw out the first pitch to Derek Holland @Dutch_Oven45 #ALCS
⚾️⚾️⚾️ pic.twitter.com/iLv1iCR9Ut— TexasRacingFan (@TexasRacingFan) October 19, 2023
Even opposing starter Justin Verlander caught up with Kinsler prior to the game.
Justin Verlander came out of the Astros dugout to catch up with Ian Kinsler and his family. The two were teammates in Detroit.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 18, 2023
Good for Ian Kinsler. He's wearing his Team Israel jersey for the ceremonial first pitch. He was the Israel manager in the Olympics.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) October 18, 2023
Ian Kinsler threw out the first pitch in an Israel jersey 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/jU4Y97MPsK
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 19, 2023
Former Ranger Ian Kinsler dons Israel baseball jersey for ALCS Game 3 ceremonial first pitch ⚾#GoAndTakeIt https://t.co/8ZyYgPZUDa
— SportsDay Rangers (@dmn_rangers) October 19, 2023
Kinsler, represented Israel at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. He obtained Israeli citizenship that March.
During the Olympics, Israel went 1-4 overall before being eliminated due to losses to South Korea and the Dominican Republic.
Kinsler also was the manager of Team Israel during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Ian Kinsler comes out to throw the first pitch in a Team Israel jersey. He was the manager for the World Baseball Classic this year.
— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) October 18, 2023
More than 1,400 people, including civilians and soldiers, have been killed in Israel after last weekend’s Hamas attacks. The attacks, according to CNN, included Gaza firing thousands of rockets toward Israeli towns on Oct. 7. Hostages also were taken.
Israel since has declared war.
Kinsler, who spent eight seasons with the Rangers, made sure the jersey was a message during such a devastating time in the world.
On Oct. 10, Baltimore Orioles starter and Israeli-American Dean Kremer made his playoff debut against the Rangers while the attacks were going on.
“I still want to pitch, but, I mean, it’s going to be in the back of my head,” he said before his start.
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.