Description
2015 Hall of Famer.
Comes with a letter of authenticity.
Born in Anola, Man., in 1973, Koskie was a multi-sport star in high school, excelling in baseball, hockey and volleyball. After choosing to focus on baseball, he honed his skills at the National Baseball Institute in Surrey, B.C., in 1993 before he was selected in the 26th?round of the 1994 MLB amateur draft by the Minnesota Twins.
The 6-foot-3 slugger played parts of five seasons in the minors prior to making his big league debut on September 9, 1998. He became a regular with the Twins the following season when he hit .310 and belted 11 home runs in 117 games ? a performance that earned him a spot on the Topps?s 1999 All-Star Rookie team.
But his true breakout season would come two years later, when he scored 100 runs, socked 26 homers, collected 103 RBI and swiped 27 bases to become the?first third baseman in American League history to record at least 100 runs, 25 homers, 100 RBI and 25 stolen bases in the same season. For his efforts, he was named co-winner (with Larry Walker) of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame?s Tip O?Neill Award. In the ensuing three campaigns, he never hit less than 14 home runs in a season and he helped the Twins to three consecutive playoff berths.
Le 14 décembre 2004, il a signé un contrat avec les Blue Jays de Toronto et cognera 11 circuits en 97 matchs avec la formation canadienne. L’année suivante, il a été échangé aux Brewers de Milwaukee avec qui il a frappé 12 longues balles en 76 parties avant de subir une commotion cérébrale qui allait mettre fin à sa carrière.
In all, in nine big league seasons, Koskie suited for 989 games ? more than any other player from Manitoba ? and ranks seventh all-time amongst Canadians in home runs (124) and on-base percentage (.367) and eighth in slugging percentage (.458). He also played more big league games at third base than any other Canadian and ranks first among Canuck third basemen in batting average, home runs, RBI and on-base percentage. He also competed for Canada in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics.
En 2011, Koskie a été intronisé au Temple de la renommée du baseball du Manitoba et au Panthéon des sports du Manitoba en 2013.
During his career, Koskie was also involved with numerous charities and he continues to support fundraising activities for the Twins Community Fund. In 2001, he was the recipient of the Twins? Carl R. Pohlad Award, which is handed out by the club to a player, coach or manager for outstanding work in the community.
