Major League Baseball

"I always felt I could be a premier player in this league."

"I don't think I've been thinking, 'I'm going to show them.' But I feel like I'm one of the best second baseman in the league. That's how I think everyone should approach the game, with confidence and determination."

"I'm going to play the same regardless of whether I'm making $5 or $1 trillion. It really doesn't make a difference to me. I'm going to go out there and play hard, and money doesn't bring respect. The way you play the game brings respect. When I finish playing the game, it's not how much money I made that is going to be legacy. It's how I played the game and what I did on the field."

"I think continuity has helped. I think having a defined role has helped. I know what I have to go out there and do everyday."

"I think instructional league is really what helped me the most; I just felt like I got to know myself as a player and got to know my game better. You do that by just getting experience, getting one thousand swings or however many we got down there."

"I thought I was much better than a 17th round pick. I thought I belonged in the top 10 rounds."

"I want to be an elite type of player, and not just for one year."

"I want to be at the top of the order. I want to be the guy, when you look at the lineup, it says, 'Kinsler is hitting No. 1 every day.'"

"The power numbers are nice, but I'm most pleased that I've been consistent. Home runs come from having a consistent approach ."

"A lot of guys say they want it, but when it comes to working for it they don't have what it takes. It was pretty clear that wasn't a question with Ian. There was a sense of urgency with him to get better and move up." - Mike Grouse

"From the day Ian stepped through the doors here you could see it on his face: He was on a mission." - Tim Jamieson

"He's been through an apprenticeship, and he's handled every level we threw at him. You learn through the years not to put limitations on guys with his kind of makeup. I'm trying to get out of his way and let him be Ian." - Buck Showalter

"He's certainly our catalyst." - Ron Washington

"He's extremely conscientious, and he really wants to learn. He lets you know he's on the rise because he never acts like he's got it all figured out." - Ron Washington

"He worked hard with our strength coach and conditioning coaches to get stronger, and it's paying off." - John Lombardo

"Ian represents the past, present, and future of this organization." - Thad Levine

"I'd like to say he absolutely stood out, but that wasn't the case." - Mike Grouse

"Kinsler wanted it so bad and worked to make it happen. It's an unbelievable success story. What are the odds you find a star like Ian at that point in the draft?" - Grady Fuson

"The best way I can describe him is that he's not interested in simply being a big leaguer, he wants to be more. That's what I love about him. I know this, he's better than I was at that point in my career." - Michael Young

"You have to earn respect in this clubhouse or any clubhouse. He's done that with his performance. But he also carries himself in a really professional manner. He's confident without ever being loud." - Mark Teixeira