Corey Koskie

Canadian baseball player (born 1973)

Baseball player

Corey Koskie

Koskie with the Brewers in 2006

Third baseman
Born: (1973-06-28) June 28, 1973 (age 52)
Anola, Manitoba, Canada

Batted: Left

Threw: Right

MLB debut
September 9, 1998, for the Minnesota Twins
Last MLB appearance
July 5, 2006, for the Milwaukee Brewers
MLB statistics
Batting average| .275
Home runs| 124
Runs batted in| 506
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams

* Minnesota Twins (1998–2004)
* Toronto Blue Jays (2005)
* Milwaukee Brewers (2006)

Member of the Canadian
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction| 2015

Cordel Leonard "Corey" Koskie (born June 28, 1973) is a Canadian former professional baseball third baseman, who played in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, and Milwaukee Brewers. On February 4, 2015, Koskie was elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.[1]

## Early life

[edit]

Koskie was born in Anola, Manitoba. He was the first Manitoba-born-and-raised player to ever reach the Major Leagues, and the first Manitoba-born player in MLB since Bud Sketchley in 1942.[2] Koskie grew up on a farm in Anola and practiced baseball by hitting rocks with a wiffle ball bat.[3] He took lessons in Ukrainian dance as a child.[2]

Koskie's primary sports in his youth were ice hockey and volleyball. He played junior hockey for the Selkirk Steelers and was recruited to play college hockey at Minnesota-Duluth but chose instead to play volleyball for Garth Pischke at the University of Manitoba.[2]

Koskie left the Manitoba Bisons in his second year, to play college baseball at Des Moines Area Community College in Boone, Iowa.[4] He subsequently began playing at the National Baseball Institute in British Columbia.[2]

## Baseball career

[edit]

Koskie was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 26th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball draft, and subsequently made his MLB debut on September 9, 1998.

He established himself in 1999 as the Twins' third baseman of the future by hitting .310 and knocking in 58 runs.

In 2000, he batted .300 with a .400 on-base percentage and in 2001 had his most productive offensive season when he hit 26 home runs, had 103 RBI, and scored 100 runs.

Koskie signed a three-year, $17-million contract[5] with the Toronto Blue Jays on December 14, 2004. An injury-plagued 2005 season cut his productivity and playing time, as he struggled with a .249 average, with 11 home runs, 36 RBI, and 4 stolen bases in 97 games. Despite his frequent injuries, Koskie was regarded as one of the more athletic third basemen in the game.[according to whom?][citation needed]

On January 6, 2006, he was traded by the Blue Jays to the Milwaukee Brewers for pitcher Brian Wolfe. The deal was widely viewed as a salary dump for the Blue Jays[according to whom?] after the team traded for Troy Glaus. With several players on the roster capable of playing third base (Koskie, Glaus, Eric Hinske, Shea Hillenbrand, and Aaron Hill) and no assurances of regular playing time from Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi, Koskie was traded just a year after being the Blue Jays' 2004 offseason marquee free agent signing.[citation needed]

While the Brewers acquired a veteran infielder with a solid glove and bat to anchor their very young infield, Koskie's later seasons were marred by injuries, including missing most of the 2006 season with post-concussion syndrome from an injury he received on July 5, 2006.[6]

"If I can't play, I at least want my life back", he said. "I'm hoping to do something to help the team this year. I want to play baseball again. If I can play baseball, I know I'm fine."[7] The injury caused him to miss the entire 2007 season.[8]

In 2009, Koskie worked out at the Minnesota Twins spring training camp and played for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic.[9] On February 28, Koskie signed a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training with the Chicago Cubs.[10] On March 21, 2009, Koskie announced his retirement. While confident in his abilities, he did not want to risk his health.[11][12] His fear of injury led to a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder.[13]

## Post-retirement

[edit]

Koskie was a Planet Fitness franchisee in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area from 2010 to 2016. He recounted his experiences in a January 29, 2016 article for The Players' Tribune.[13][14] As of 2016, Koskie lived in Plymouth, Minnesota with his wife and their four sons.[13]

Koskie was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.[15]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Chisholm, Gregor (February 4, 2015). "Delgado, Stairs highlight '15 Canadian Hall class". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
2. ^ a b c d Blair, Jeff (October 1, 2002). "Hard work pays off for Koskie". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
3. ^ Souhan, Jim (February 8, 2015). "Souhan: Koskie has found his niche after a career in baseball". Star Tribune. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
4. ^ Rayno, Amelia (August 6, 2012). "Koskie finds peace of mind". Star Tribune. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
5. ^ "Into the Blue: Koskie, Jays finalize deal". ESPN.com. December 13, 2004. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
6. ^ Braun, Rick (October 19, 2007). "Brewers bid adieu to Koskie". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
7. ^ "Corey Koskie : USAToday.com – Corey Koskie Biography from USAToday.com". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 25, 2007.
8. ^ Brewers not counting on Koskie – Sports Rumors – MLB – Yahoo! Sports
9. ^ "Koskie to play for Canada in WBC". espn.com. Associated Press. February 23, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
10. ^ Cubs, infielder Corey Koskie agree to terms on 2009 minor league contract
11. ^ Saturday update: Koskie retires Archived 2009-03-24 at the Wayback Machine
12. ^ Koskie ends comeback bid Archived 2009-03-24 at the Wayback Machine
13. ^ a b c Dorsey, David (March 18, 2016). "Corey Koskie adjusts to life after baseball". Fort Myers News-Press. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
14. ^ Koskie, Corey. "Elbows Deep," The Players' Tribune, Friday, January 29, 2016.
15. ^ "Corey Koskie". Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame - Honoured members database. Sport Manitoba. Retrieved November 10, 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Biography portal
* Baseball portal
* Canada portal

* Career statistics from MLB · ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet · Baseball Almanac

Awards

Preceded by

Bob Smith

|  Topps Rookie All-Star Third Baseman
1999  | Succeeded by

Mike Lamb

* v
* t
* e

Tip O'Neill Award

* 1984: Puhl
* 1985: Shipanoff
* 1986: Ducey
* 1987: Walker
* 1988: Reimer
* 1989: Wilson
* 1990: Walker
* 1991: Brabant
* 1992: Walker
* 1993: Butler
* 1994: Walker
* 1995: Walker
* 1996: Dickson
* 1997: Walker
* 1998: Walker
* 1999: Zimmerman
* 2000: Dempster
* 2001: Koskie & Walker
* 2002: Gagné & Walker
* 2003: Gagné
* 2004: Bay
* 2005: Bay
* 2006: Morneau
* 2007: Martin
* 2008: Morneau
* 2009: Bay
* 2010: Votto
* 2011: Axford & Votto
* 2012: Votto
* 2013: Votto
* 2014: Morneau
* 2015: Votto
* 2016: Votto
* 2017: Votto
* 2018: Paxton
* 2019: Soroka
* 2020: Romak
* 2021: Guerrero Jr.
* 2022: Romano

* v
* t
* e

Canada roster – 2006 World Baseball Classic

* 3 Matt Rogelstad
* 4 Pete Orr
* 7 Adam Stern
* 8 Chris Robinson
* 11 Stubby Clapp
* 12 Matt Stairs
* 15 Mike Meyers
* 16 Kevin Nicholson
* 17 Max St. Pierre
* 18 Sebastien Boucher
* 19 Ryan Radmanovich
* 20 Adam Loewen
* 22 Éric Cyr
* 24 Steve Green
* 26 Jeff Francis
* 27 Justin Morneau
* 28 Jesse Crain
* 31 Aaron Myette
* 32 Vince Perkins
* 34 Chris Reitsma
* 35 Chris Begg
* 36 Scott Mathieson
* 37 Rhéal Cormier
* 38 Jason Bay
* 39 Pete Laforest
* 45 Aaron Guiel
* 47 Corey Koskie
* 48 Paul Quantrill
* 49 Érik Bédard
* 50 Scott Thorman

* Manager Ernie Whitt
* Coach Denis Boucher
* Coach Tim Leiper
* Coach Rob Ducey
* Coach Larry Walker

* v
* t
* e

Canada roster – 2009 World Baseball Classic

* 1 Luke Carlin
* 4 Pete Orr
* 5 Brett Lawrie
* 7 Adam Stern
* 8 Nick Weglarz
* 11 Stubby Clapp
* 12 Matt Stairs
* 13 Chris Barnwell
* 17 Phillippe Aumont
* 18 Scott Diamond
* 19 Joey Votto
* 22 Bryan Dumesnil
* 23 David Davidson
* 24 Mark Teahen
* 25 Mike Johnson
* 26 T. J. Burton
* 28 Jesse Crain
* 29 Shawn Bowman
* 31 Steve Green
* 32 Vince Perkins
* 33 Justin Morneau
* 35 Chris Begg
* 36 Brooks McNiven
* 44 Jason Bay
* 47 Corey Koskie
* 48 Scott Richmond
* 52 Chris Leroux
* 55 Russell Martin

* Manager 21 Ernie Whitt
* Coach 3 Larry Walker
* Coach 49 Paul Quantrill
* Coach 42 Denis Boucher
* Coach 34 Tim Leiper
* Coach 27 Greg Hamilton
* Coach 20 Greg O'Halloran

* v
* t
* e

Members of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

Players, managers,
and coaches|

* Bob Addy
* Roberto Alomar
* Felipe Alou
* Sparky Anderson
* Jimmy Archer
* Jason Bay
* George Bell
* Reno Bertoia
* Ted Bowsfield
* Tom Burgess
* Helen Callaghan
* Gary Carter
* Joe Carter
* Nig Clarke
* Jimmy Claxton
* Reggie Cleveland
* Frank Colman
* Murray Cook
* Rhéal Cormier
* Charlie Culver
* Andre Dawson
* Carlos Delgado
* Ryan Dempster
* Rob Ducey
* Tony Fernández
* Russ Ford
* Dick Fowler
* Jeff Francis
* Hippo Galloway
* Cito Gaston
* George Gibson
* Roland Gladu
* Jack Graney
* Vladimir Guerrero
* Roy Halladay
* Vern Handrahan
* Bill Harris
* Jeff Heath
* Tom Henke
* Pat Hentgen
* John Hiller
* Arthur Irwin
* Ferguson Jenkins
* Oscar Judd
* Jimmy Key
* Corey Koskie
* Tony Kubek
* Tommy Lasorda
* Phil Marchildon
* Russell Martin
* Dennis Martínez
* Pedro Martínez
* Kirk McCaskill
* Manny McIntyre
* Dave McKay
* Larry McLean
* Roy Miller
* Justin Morneau
* Lloyd Moseby
* Rocky Nelson
* Wayne Norton
* Tip O'Neill
* Frank O'Rourke
* John Olerud
* Bill Phillips
* Ron Piché
* Terry Puhl
* Paul Quantrill
* Tim Raines
* Claude Raymond
* Sherry Robertson
* Jackie Robinson
* Steve Rogers
* Goody Rosen
* Jean-Pierre Roy
* George Selkirk
* Pop Smith
* Matt Stairs
* Rusty Staub
* Ron Stead
* Ashley Stephenson
* Dave Stieb
* Ron Taylor
* Fred Thomas
* Larry Walker
* Tim Wallach
* Duane Ward
* Pete Ward
* Ernie Whitt
* Jimmy Williams
* George Wood

Miscellaneous|

* Gord Ash
* Nat Bailey
* Paul Beeston
* Richard Bélec
* Andy Bilesky
* Howard Birnie
* Charles Bronfman
* Bob Brown
* Carmen Bush
* James F. Cairns
* Ray Carter
* Tom Cheek
* Jack Kent Cooke
* Ronald Cullen
* Jacques Doucet
* John Ducey
* Bob Elliot
* Bob Emslie
* Jim Fanning
* Pat Gillick
* Paul Godfrey
* Calvin Griffith
* John Haar
* Peter Hardy
* Ron Hayter
* Rod Heisler
* Doug Hudlin
* William Humber
* Joseph Lannin
* George "Knotty" Lee
* Bobby Mattick
* Don McDougall
* John McHale
* Jim McKean
* Doug Melvin
* Joe Page
* Lester B. Pearson
* Bob Prentice
* Ernie Quigley
* Hector Racine
* Jimmy Rattlesnake
* Jim Ridley
* Ron Roncetti
* Allan Roth
* Gladwyn Scott
* Frank Shaughnessy
* Dave Shury
* William Shuttleworth
* Harry Simmons
* Allan Simpson
* Bill Slack
* George Sleeman
* Bernie Soulliere
* Howard Starkman
* Rob Thomson
* Dave Van Horne
* Peter Widdrington
* Roy Yamamura
* Harold Younker

Groups|

* Canadian-born players of the AAGPBL
* Beachville & Zorra teams, 1838
* London Tecumsehs, 1877
* National youth team, 1991
* Team Canada, 2011
* Team Canada, 2015
* Vancouver Asahi

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