Team Israel to get new coach for 2023 World Baseball Classic

• Published date: 30 June 2022
• Publication title: Israel National News (Israel)

The former All-Star second baseman will manage Team Israel in the upcoming 2023 World Baseball Classic. He currently has no plans to play for the team as well

The Jewish 14-year MLB veteran played for Team Israel in the 2020 Olympics that were held last year, telling the Jewish Telegraphic Agency at the time that his goal was to raise the sport's profile in Israel.

"Medaling for Team Israel would create that buzz," he said, and "obviously bring more attention to the sport. So it's exciting to think about all that."

The World Baseball Classic, founded in 2006 and normally held every 4 years, is the only international baseball tournament outside of Olympic competition.

"I was very excited when I was asked to manage Team Israel at the WBC and it didn't take long for me to accept the position," Kinsler said in a statement on Wednesday. "I enjoyed my time playing in the tournament and now that I know Israel Baseball well from my time in the Olympics, I am convinced that we will have a very competitive squad that will go far."

Kinsler won two Gold Gloves during his career, and is among the all-time MLB Jewish baseball leaders in stolen bases (243), hits (1,999), home runs (257) and runs batted in (909). He played the first eight years of his career with the Texas Rangers, but also spent time on the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres. He won the 2018 World Series with the Red Sox, and was also a member of Team USA's championship team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

While Team Israel came up empty in the 2020 Olympics, the team rose to prominence during a surprising run at the 2017 WBC, beating several highly-ranked teams and entertaining fans with its beloved mascot, the Mensch on the Bench. Coach...