The recently announced Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2022 features a pair of stellar contributors to the club’s history: former second baseman Ian Kinsler and current executive vice president of public affairs John Blake.
That duo brings the number of members in this prestigious group to 24 – and highlights a notion that induction criteria focuses on achievements both on the field and behind the scenes. Over the Rangers’ 50-year history – and since the Hall was introduced nearly two decades ago – people honored include the standard fare of stellar players, as well as principals who factored into the teams evolution through the years.
Kinsler played with the Rangers from 2006-2013 and was a mainstay on teams that won back-to-back American League pennants in 2010-2011. He holds multiple offensive records for a Rangers’ second baseman and batted .273 with 156 home runs and 539 RBI over 1,066 games with Texas.
Blake has spent 34 years with the Rangers, originally joining the club as director of media relations on November 1, 1984. He also served as vice president of public relations and senior vice president of communications over two decades in his first stint with the organization that extended through the 2004 season.
After spending three seasons with the Boston Red Sox’ front office, Blake returned to the Rangers as executive vice president of communications in 2008 and transitioned into his current role this past January.
Texas Rangers Hall of Famers
NAME CLASS
Ian Kinsler (IF) 2022
John Blake, Executive 2022
Josh Hamilton (OF) 2019
Richard Greene, Mayor 2019
Michael Young (IF) 2016
Jeff Russell (P) 2015
Juan Gonzalez (OF) 2015
Tom Schieffer, Executive 2014
Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez (C) 2013
Eric Nadel, Broadcaster 2012
Kenny Rogers (P) 2011
Tom Grieve, Player/GM/Broadcaster 2010
Ruben Sierra (OF) 2009
Toby Harrah (IF) 2009
Rusty Greer (OF) 2007
John Wetteland (P) 2005
Mark Holtz, Broadcaster 2005
Buddy Bell (IF) 2004
Ferguson Jenkins (P) 2004
Tom Vandergriff, Mayor/Broadcaster 2004
Johnny Oates, Manager 2003
Nolan Ryan (P) 2003
Jim Sundberg (C) 2003
Charlie Hough (P) 2003
