Lindsey Young

Thanks everyone, for reading. Corey is definitely a class-act guy, and I enjoyed getting to talk with him.

Parker, thanks for reading! We talked just a very little bit about the concussion, and Koskie confirmed the symptoms he was continuing to experience that caused him to decide it was time to retire.

Ask a Minnesota Twins fan to list players who have made a significant impact on the team, and one name that promises to come up is Corey Koskie. Koskie played for three teams over a nine-year MLB career, but the third baseman is best known for his seven seasons in Minnesota.It all began in 1994, when Koskie found himself selected in the 26th 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.” Lindsey Young is a graduate of University of Northwestern – St. Paul and is an avid Minnesota sports fan[atic]. It’s been argued females don’t know much about sports, but she begs to differ. Her work has been featured on Bleacher Report, KSTP.com, and the official Vikings website. Currently, Lindsey runs a bi-monthly fan feature for Timberwolves.com and is a contributing writer for Vikings Territory and Canis Hoopus. You can read her blog at Making the Call and follow her on Twitter, @LindseyMNSports. Click here to view the article

Thanks for the comment! Definitely a true statement - makes me proud to be a MN Twins fan

Thanks for reading! Brian was an excellent interview, and he has promoted so many different ways to donate -- he does not have one fund specifically, but any donation to pediatric cancer is one worthwhile.

Brian Duensing did not always anticipate a career in baseball, nor did he envision that he would one day have a significant impact on numerous families. But now he's doing both. Although actively playing sports from the age of six, Duensing considered himself a very average athlete. Duensing primarily pursued football up until high school. His freshman year, however, he found himself a bit undersized.“I became the tackling dummy,” he said, “and at that point I said ‘enough football.’” Duensing shifted his focus to baseball, and he continued to find success on the pitcher’s mound. “I wasn’t a standout, but I worked hard and found my way up the ladder.” Before he knew it, Duensing accepted a scholarship to the University of Nebraska. The pitcher’s breakout season came in 2005, ironically after having Tommy John surgery. Going 8-0 with a 2.60 ERA in 21 appearances, Duensing threw 15 consecutive shutout innings in the Big 12 Baseball Tournament and helped the Huskers reach the 2005 College World Series. “I was excited, but [the reality] really hit me the day I got drafted. I remember talking to a teammate in the outfield and saying, ‘If I get drafted in the top 10 rounds, I will probably sign.’” That same afternoon, the Minnesota Twins drafted Duensing in the third round. Duensing transitioned through several minor league teams, from the High-A Fort Myers Miracle to the AAA Rochester Red Wings. “The highest jump was to AA,” he said. “Once you get to AA, there are still some straggler veterans that have played in the big leagues and are still hanging on—in AA, you get to see some good hitting.” “I did a lot of learning [in Triple-A]. I learned to pitch inside and figure out what type of pitcher I had to be to get to the next level. The game of baseball has so much to do with failure—who can fail less. It takes a lot of learning, a lot of realizing who you are as a player in order to be successful.” In 2009, Duensing seized his opportunity. When Twins pitcher Scott Baker suffered an injury, Duensing made his major league debut against the White Sox. The game sticks in his memory, as he made a three-inning stand that helped lead the Twins to a 12-5 victory. His first batter? AJ Pierzynski. That April game proved to be only the beginning. In his six-year career in Minnesota, Duensing has pitched 599 innings and averaged a 4.13 ERA. But there's much more to Duensing than being a strong athlete. It's his work off the field that gives a glimpse of the man behind the uniform and his desire to reach out and help others. This year, Duensing and his wife Lisa have dedicated the month of September to raising awareness to strike out childhood cancer. It all started when a fellow Nebraska athlete gained media attention for a 63-yard touchdown play. That athlete was seven-year-old Jack Hoffman, who is suffering from brain cancer. Hoffman developed a connection with the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team, and on April 6, 2013, the Huskers brought Hoffman onto the field in the fourth quarter to allow him the thrill of entering the Nebraska end zone. In July 2013, the professional sports world honored the young athlete with an ESPY award. Hoffman’s story in particular connected with the Duensing family; in August, Lisa texted her husband with the idea of starting a T-Shirt Twitter campaign. “At first I didn’t think it would really work,” the pitcher admitted, “but I sent out a couple of tweets, and next thing you know, we have T-shirts flooding in. [it is] unfortunate seeing so many people affected by pediatric cancer, but it’s also nice to see that sort of response.” Duensing has two young children himself, and being a father deepens the impact of this particular cause. “To think of families that have to go through this kind of stuff is so disheartening. We just wanted to spread awareness.” And he did just that. Throughout September, Duensing donned a new T-shirt for every day of the month—each shirt designated either a specific cancer fund or the name of a child who has been diagnosed with a form of pediatric cancer. Duensing tweeted a daily photo of himself wearing the shirts, and with each post he included a link for followers to learn more about the cause or to donate financially. One individual especially touched by Duensing’s campaign is Marney Gellner, sideline reporter & pre-game show host for FOX Sports North. One of Gellnar’s close friends, also from Nebraska, has a six-year-old daughter currently undergoing cancer treatments. On Sept. 21, Duensing wore a shirt in support of Katelyn. “[brian] is just one of the great human beings in the clubhouse,” Gellner said. “He’s obviously gifted as an athlete, as a pitcher, but he’s also such a good person. What he and his wife are doing this month is such a great representation of who he is.” Gellner is not the only one to express this sentiment. Some of Duensing’s friends and teammates have expressed gratitude for his action and an interest in joining the campaign next year. Twins pitcher Casey Fien plans to participate in the future, and former Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer and his wife also want to be involved. Duensing emphasized the importance of professional athletes using their position to support the community and to have a positive impact on those around them. “Whether we ask for it or not, we’re put into a position where we’re in the spotlight,” says Duensing. “Kids look up to us, and with all the social media and extra media available, we’re under a larger microscope. It’s so important because we are on a platform where it’s possible to spread awareness, and people listen. They listen and they follow.” Duensing’s Twitter followers certainly did listen and pass the word—throughout the month, over 40 shirts were delivered to the pitcher’s locker. Since there were more shirts than days of the month, he turned to his teammates to join forces. On Sept. 22, Duensing and 14 other Twins players wore T-shirts and created a video encouraging others to stand up to childhood cancer. As the Twins season wraps up this week, Duensing’s September campaign also draws to a close. And while fans can be assured that Duensing will be preparing for the 2015 baseball season, he will also continue supporting families impacted by cancer. Whether on the field or off, Brian Duensing is going for the strike. Click here to view the article