MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. — The kid from Anola made it the day he reached the big leagues. He made it big again in 2001 when he became the first third baseman in Major League history to score 100 runs (100), drive in 100 runs (103), hit 25 home runs (26) and steal 25 bases (27). But tonight at Target Field, he really made it big.
Manitoba’s own Cordel Leonard Koskie, 37, the kid from tiny Anola, MB., was named one of the 50 Greatest Minnesota Twins in a ceremony at the new downtown Minneapolis ballpark on Friday night. He was one of two Canadians named to the team along with New Westminster, B.C.’s Justin Morneau.
Koskie, who was selected in the 26th round of the 1994 amateur draft, was introduced to a wonderful round of applause and took his seat behind home plate along with Kent Hrbek, Rod Carew, Jack Morris, Bert Blyleven, Jim (Mudcat) Grant, Harmon Killebrew and Koskie’s good friend, Paul Molitor.
“I looked down the line and all I could think was, ‘What am I doing here?’” Koskie said with a smile. “Wow! The guys I was out there with… were they ever impressive. This is quite a group. I can’t tell you how honored I am.”
Koskie, who had to retire due to complications from post-concussion syndrome, did play for Team Canada at the World Baseball Classic, before calling it a career. His last Major League season was in 2006 while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.
These days, Koskie is a business man. The father of four young boys — all baseball and hockey players in the Twin Cities — owns two Planet Fitness gyms in Minneapolis area and there are times when he thinks that’s crazier than being named one of the 50 Greatest Twins.
“I’ve gone from playing baseball right into the business world and that’s quite a jump,” he said. “I knew nothing about it when I started but I’ve learned quick and I’ve learned a lot.”
Friday night, however, Koskie forgot about the gyms for one moment. He called his moment on the field with Tom Kelly, Brad Radke, Gary Gaetti, Greg Gagne and Tony Oliva, “overwhelming.”
“It was really great to be part of this and see these guys again,” said Koskie. “I feel pretty special.”
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