Corey Koskie Comments On 2015 Twins

It all began in 1994, when Koskie found himself selected in the 26^th round of the amateur draft, despite being projected to go earlier. He recalled the process:

“Based on some pre-draft reports and a couple of other things, I thought I would end up going as a higher-round pick. But I got a phone call from the Twins the second day [asking if I would] still sign if I got drafted the second day […] they selected me the second day, and I was excited.”

Koskie made his major league debut on Sept. 9, 1998. As a rookie he stood out immediately, hitting .310 and tallying 58 runs, but he notched his most notable offensive season in his third year. In 2001, Koskie hit 26 home runs, added 103 RBI and scored 100 runs.

“The biggest thing [Koskie] typified was how much better you can become with hard work even after you've arrived,” said Fangraphs baseball writer Brandon Warne. “When he debuted he wasn’t a great defensive third baseman, but through hard work and dedication he turned himself into a gold-glove caliber player.”

Having several successful seasons in Minnesota, Koskie experienced plenty of great games, big plays and memorable moments. Looking back, he identified three Twins memories that stand out in his mind:

• Eric Milton’s
  against the Angels on Sept. 11, 1999.
  
• Defeating Oakland in Game 5 to move on to the American League Championship Series in 2002.
  
• Game 2 of the 2004 American League Division Series against the New York Yankees.
  

Koskie recalled the excitement—and subsequent frustrations—of the 2004 Game 2, in which he got a hit off Mariano Rivera.

“The ball bounced, getting a ground-rule double. If that ball stays in, we would have scored [Guzman off first], Joe Nathan would come in to shut them down, and we go into the Metrodome 2-0 over the Yankees. I really thought that year we were going to the World Series. And then when that ball kind of bounced over [the wall]…”

Minnesota lost that game and series to the Yankees, and the memory hangs with Koskie as a significant game of his career, and he never did make a World Series appearance. Following that season, he went on to play a year each with Toronto and Milwaukee, but his time with the Brewers ended abruptly after suffering a severe concussion.

Koskie wrestled with post-concussion symptoms for three years before deciding to retire in 2009. Following retirement, he and his family remained in Minnesota, and Koskie stays busy with running two Planet Fitness locations and coaching his children—four boys!—in both hockey and baseball.

“Those two things basically take up 28 hours of my day,” he said, laughing.

Despite finishing out his MLB career in other cities, and although a native of Canada, Koskie still considers the Twin Cities a second home and the team a second family. The third baseman built many friendships during his seasons with the Twins, and he keeps in regular contact with Eddie Guardado, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Torii Hunter—whom he could not be more thrilled to see return to Minnesota 2015.

According to Koskie, bringing Hunter back is the No. 1 offseason move that will significantly impact the team moving forward.

“[Torii]’s going to teach these guys what it’s like to win,” Koskie expressed. “He’s a competitor; he likes to win. There’s a certain way of playing that he learned coming up from the beginning with the Twins […] to bring him back and re-emphasize that part of the game will have a great influence on the players.”

Koskie also feels positively about the addition of two more familiar faces: Guardado as a bullpen coach and Paul Molitor as the newest Twins manager.

Koskie described Guardado as a “true professional” and someone who will bring another level of mentorship to the clubhouse. The former pitcher understands the importance of combining hard work with natural talent, and he was the perfect example of that during his playing years. Koskie explained:

“[Eddie] maybe couldn’t throw the ball 98 mph, but he would beat you with heart. He would throw the ball 88-92 mph, and he was a closer. He got a lot of saves for the Twins just on heart.”

While Guardado brings with him a certain leadership style, Molitor carries a different—but equally vital—dynamic. Koskie said that hiring Molitor was an incredible move by the Twins, and he will be a great asset to the team and its future.

“ ‘Moli’ is a great leader,” Koskie said. “He’s stoic, he’s quiet, but the players respect him and he respects the players. He gives people the benefit of the doubt.”

Koskie’s anticipation for the upcoming season is as high as anyone else’s, and it carries even more weight to see his former teammates blended, in key positions, back into the team.

While Koskie himself may not play anymore, the baseball headlines continue to feature him. On Feb. 4, the former Twin was elected into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. The Canadian Hall selected Koskie along with players Carlos Delgado and Matt Stairs, longtime Montreal manager Felipe Alou and sportswriter Bob Elliott.

“To be inducted with these guys is an honor,” Koskie said. “It’s humbling. These guys have all had phenomenal careers.”

The official induction ceremony will take place on June 13, and the tribute seems like the perfect reflection of Koskie’s career, character, and love of the game.

“The fact that I was able to play a game that I loved and was able to bring joy to other people’s lives through that, being a part of something bigger than myself—and then being recognized for that—is just really cool. It’s very special.”