Corey Koskie turns 52 today.
Corey was born in Anola, Manitoba. I suppose it reinforces everything Americans think about Canada (we all know each other), but I know people who knew Corey when he was young. Drafted in the 26th round of the 1994 amateur draft, Corey beat the odds and made the Twins in 1998. In 1999, he became a full-time player.
Before the 2005 season, the Jays signed him as a free agent. Unfortunately, he had a poor season of his career. It was the first time he slugged under .400 in a full season in the majors and the only season where he had an OPS+ under 100.
He missed 58 games with a thumb fracture, and, of course, the pain in the thumb cost him his power when he came back.
After the season, the Jays traded for Troy Glaus, causing a logjam at third, so they traded Koskie to the Brewers for Brian Wolfe. Wolfe had a couple of good seasons, pitching out of our bullpen.
In 2006, Corey suffered a concussion that ended his career. However, he tried to make a comeback. In 2009, he was on the roster for Canada in the World Baseball Classic and was with the Cubs during spring training; however, he announced his retirement before the season began.
Corey had an excellent 9-year career, hitting 124 homers, driving in 506 runs, and finishing with a .275/.367/.458 batting line. I’m sure that if we compiled a top 50 list of Canadian-born players, he would be near the top of the list.
Happy birthday, Corey. I hope you have a good one.
It is also Colt Hynes’ 40th birthday. Colt pitched for the Jays in 2015. He got into five games, a total of three innings, after being picked up off waivers from the Dodgers. He bounced around from team to team but only played a total of 20 MLB innings.
I only remember him for his name. I read enough Louis L’Amour novels to recognize an excellent name for a western novel. And he was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, so I’d imagine he’s ridden a horse or two in his day.