Ian Kinsler Calls Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels a “Sleazeball,” Hopes the Team Goes 0-162

After spending eight seasons with the Texas Rangers, Ian Kinsler was shipped to the Detroit Tigers this winter. It appears he left the Lone Star state with some lingering hostility toward his former general manager.

“I hope they go 0-162,” Kinsler told ESPN The Magazine’s Robert Sanchez recently in a story published this week. “I got friends, and I love my friends, but I hope they lose their ass.”

The comments surprised some Rangers players, and many declined comment, as did manager Ron Washington. But a few players spoke up.

In the story, Kinsler vents about his frustrations with the Rangers, citing several issues with the team and general manager Jon Daniels. His disdain for Daniels is evident as he calls him a “sleazeball” and blames Daniels’ ego for pushing Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan out the door.

Kinsler’s list of complaints with the organization is lengthy, and some of them are understandable. But it’s hard not to listen to this and not immediately identify it as a textbook example of sour grapes.

Current Rangers reliever Tanner Scheppers pointed out the odds of the Rangers — by all accounts a World Series contender — losing every game for six months are quite low.

“I don’t think he’s going to get what he wants,” [he] said. “I have all the respect in the world for Ian. He’s taught me a lot, but he’s now with the Detroit Tigers. I wish him luck and I wish luck for everybody.

Odds are better that Kinsler will be the recipient of some high heat when these two teams get together.

[H/T: ESPN]

[Image via Kim Klement/USA Today Sports]