Major League Baseball

Ex-Ranger Kinsler rips GM Daniels in article

Published Mar. 4, 2014 11:37 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

There were few players more polarizing during their time with the Texas Rangers than second baseman Ian Kinsler.

He's ruffling feathers now that he's with Detroit too.

In a story in ESPN The Magazine, Kinsler ripped general manager Jon Daniels and said he hoped the Rangers go winless this season.

"Daniels is a sleazeball," Kinsler said in the story.

Kinsler said he didn't like the way the trade was handled to the Tigers, with new breaking while Daniels was on a flight and unable to contact Kinsler. Kinsler also said Daniels played a part in pushing former team president Nolan Ryan out of the organization. He also talked about his unhappiness with the team's aborted attempt to move him from second base to clear as spot for Jurickson Profar as well as the leadership role that was thrust upon him in the wake of the Michael Young trade before the 2013 season.

Daniels refrained from responding to Kinsler's verbal swipes in the article.

"I'm not going to justify that," he told ESPN. "He was a key member of the best teams in the history of the franchise. He's entitled to his opinion."

Kinsler said in the story that he misses his teammates but that doesn't mean he wants the club to do well this season.

"To be honest with you, I hope they go 0-162," Kinsler said. "I got friends, and I love my friends, but I hope they lose their ass."

Texas manager Ron Washington took the 0-162 quote in stride when he talked with reporters Tuesday morning in Surprise.

"We won't go 0-162. Guaranteed," he said.

Kinsler backtracked some Tuesday, saying that some of his comments about Daniels were taken out of context.

"It's written," he told Tigers reporters. "It's out there. I'm not happy about it. I think the story was written for drama."

Kinsler, 31, is a member of the Rangers 25th all-time team. In his eight seasons with the Rangers, Kinsler batted .273 with 156 home runs and 539 RBI. He also stole 172 bases and was a three-time All-Star. He was traded to Detroit last November for Prince Fielder.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball