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ARLINGTON — Ian Kinsler, one of the most prolific second basemen in franchise history, will headline the 2022 Texas Rangers Hall of Fame class, alongside communications director John Blake, who has spearheaded media and public relations for the club for three decades, the club announced on Wednesday.
Kinsler and Blake, the 25th and 26th members of the Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame, will be inducted in a ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 13, prior to the Rangers’ matchup with the Mariners at Globe Life Field. Additionally, the Rangers will honor both Kinsler and Blake at the 2022 Texas Rangers Hall of Fame Luncheon on Aug. 12.
Kinsler, the club’s 2006 Rookie of the Year, is one of the Rangers’ most notable homegrown stars and spent the first eight years of his big league career with the club.
A three-time All-Star with Texas, Kinsler holds the club records for a second baseman with a .273 batting average, 156 home runs and 539 RBIs over 1,066 games from 2006-13. He also ranks in the top 10 among all Rangers players in stoles bases (2nd, 172), runs (6th, 748), extra-base hits (7th, 428), walks (7th, 462), home runs (8th), doubles (8th, 249), total bases (8th, 1,908) and multihit games (8th, 335).
In addition to being an iconic franchise second baseman, Kinsler was also one of the most productive leadoff hitters in Rangers’ history. He holds the club records for games started (662) and home runs (109) when hitting first in the batting order, including a record 29 homers to lead off the first inning.
Kinsler hit .311 with a .422 on-base percentage through 34 postseason games with Texas.
Blake has spent 34 of his 44 years in professional baseball with the Rangers, making pit stops with the Orioles and Red Sox organizations. He served as vice president of public relations and senior vice president of communications over two decades in his first stint with the club through the 2004 season.
He returned as executive vice president of communications ahead of the 2009 season and transitioned into the role of executive vice president of public affairs this past January. Overall, he has overseen various aspects of media, player and public relations, broadcasting, marketing, social media and many other projects throughout his time with the Rangers. He was also responsible for managing communication during the construction of The Ballpark in Arlington and Globe Life Field.
In addition to his roles with the club, Blake has also served in a communications role at 30 World Series and 25 MLB All-Star Games.
“The one thing that stands out about John is he remembers everything,” said Rangers manager Chris Woodward. “He knows everything about everything, especially with this game. He just blows my mind all the time, over and over again. It’s fascinating. I’d love for him to write a book or something just because there’s so much in that brain that needs to be told.”
