The Indians are headed to the postseason for the first time since 2013 after winning the American League Central. As this will be the first time that many fans across the Majors will be focusing on their roster, here's our attempt to learn the origins of second baseman Jason Kipnis.
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Born: Northbrook, Ill.
DOB: 4/3/87
HS: Glenbrook North (Northbrook, Ill.) High School
College: Arizona State
Minors: Mahoning Valley (A-), Kinston (A+), Akron (AA), Columbus (AAA)
Path to Cleveland: Kipnis was drafted by the Indians in the second round in 2009 and debuted in '11.
:: Before they were postseason-bound: Select a player ::
Trophy case: Kipnis is a two-time All-Star (2013, 2015) and was the 2012 AL Wilson Defensive Second Baseman of the Year.
Famous friend: Kipnis is still friends with former Duke player and current coach Jon Scheyer, with whom he went to high school. Kipnis is a Duke basketball fan today because of him.
You might not know: Kipnis grew up in Northbrook, a suburb about 25 minutes north of Chicago. He was 16 during the "Steve Bartman incident" and said Bartman used to live on his old street and went to school with his sister. He thinks the entire situation is overplayed, adding "no one asked the Cubs to make an error later." For the record, Kipnis pled no allegiance to the Cubs or the White Sox.
Six degrees of Willie Aikens: Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is the only infielder taken ahead of Kipnis in the 2009 Draft who has also been named to an All-Star team.
"I think if you play with a chip on your shoulder, as I do, and you're always trying to not necessarily prove people wrong, but people right too, the ones who have been in your corner. … I'm very confident in the guys who can step up for us." -- Kipnis on going ahead
Offseason hobby: Kipnis lives in downtown Chicago during the offseason, close to many of his high school friends. He works out in the morning, waits for them to get out of work and then they all hang out.
Other sports: Kipnis played soccer and football in high school, setting school records with 41 goals (soccer) and 1,247 receiving yards (football).