Mizzou in the Majors 2010: Ian Kinsler

Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers

Ian Kinsler MLB.com player page and stats

One picture sums up the 2010 season for Ian Kinsler. In a year in which his team reached the World Series, in spite of an up-and-down personal season, it seemed almost appropriate that Ian's season ended with him standing in th eon-deck circle watching a teammate strike out to end the World Series.

In his 5th season in the Major Leagues, Ian Kinsler played the fewest games (103) of any season so far, due to a pair of stays on the disabled list extended stay on the disabled list (7/29-9/7). He still managed his second best batting average (.268), but his home run total was way down (9) compared to the previous season (31). And he played in the All-Star game, thanks to an injury to Dustin Pedroia, to whom Kinsler seems to be linked for life by fate.

■ Ian Kinsler makes Rangers' lineup better (espn.com)

With Kinsler: 61-42 record, .285 batting average, .427 slugging percentage and five runs scored per game

Without Kinsler: 29-30 record, .261 batting average, .405 slugging percentage, 4.5 runs scored per game

■ Rangers' Ian Kinsler is praised for all-around success (Dallas News, 7/13/10)

There won't be a second consecutive 30-30 season for Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler. But as Kinsler prepares for his second All-Star Game appearance today, he'll do so playing the best baseball of his career, no matter what the numbers say.

"Two years ago, everyone was talking about him like he was a five- or six-year player," manager Ron Washington said. "He's played five years now. He's figured out what he needs to do more than what he wants to do. You get guys who do want to do things because they know they can. He's just doing what he needs to do."

Kinsler, 28, missed the first month of the season with a high ankle sprain. Since returning from the disabled list, he has hit for average in the No. 3 spot, gotten on base for fellow All-Stars Vladimir Guerrero and Josh Hamilton, and played what Washington said is the best defense of his career.

The All-Star Game was the furthest thing from Kinsler's mind when he returned to the lineup April 30, and he needed an injury by Dustin Pedroia to be one of the record six Rangers to make the American League team..

Kinsler also enjoyed the opportunity to participate in his first post-season in the Major Leagues. He was a major contributor in the Rangers' defeat of the Rays. He was 8-for-18 for a team-best .444 average in the series, with three home runs, tied with Nelson Cruz, and a team-high six RBIs.

He was less productive in the ALDS vs. the Yankees. hitting only .250 (5-for-20), 1 R, 3 RBI, 0 HR.

In the World Series, his production dropped further, hitting .188 (3-for-16), 1 R, 0 RBI, 0 HR.