Ian Kinsler says goodbye to Detroit

When Ian Kinsler left the Texas Rangers, he didn’t mince words about the parting. He said, “To be honest with you, I hope they go 0-162. I got friends, and I love my friends, but I hope they lose their ass.”

With his trade from the Tigers to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, it seemed like a possibility Kinsler might be equally harsh in his assessment of the rebuilding Tigers club. Instead, he took to Instagram to share a warm and loving message for his fans in Detroit.

“To the fans and the city of Detroit, this might sound cliche, because every athlete seems to say the same thing, truly you have been a blessing to me and my family for the last 4 years. You will be missed,” he wrote.

It is evident in this farewell that Kinsler felt much more welcomed and at home in Detroit than he did during his years in the Rangers dugout.

As for Tigers fans, they’re already mourning the loss of the rough-around-the-edges second baseman who was always memorable, and has been a pivotal part of the team for the last four seasons.

There aren’t a lot of players like Kinsler out there anymore, the gritty, stoic men who would have been right at home playing a game in 1930 as they are today. Kinsler is like a character who stepped fully formed from the corn in Field of Dreams to toss a ball and scuff the dirt.

It’s hard to imagine we’ll see another player quite like him, and it’s nice to know that Detroit left a positive impression on him the same way he left his mark on us.

Treat him right, Angels.