MINNEAPOLIS -- Former Twins third baseman Corey Koskie became the 41st member of the Twins Hall of Fame on Sunday when he was honored in a pregame ceremony.
Koskie played in Minnesota from 1998-2004, and he was part of the core of players who helped lead a turnaround that resulted in three consecutive division titles in his last three seasons with the Twins.
Many of his teammates from that era were in attendance as fellow Twins Hall of Fame members, including Torii Hunter, Michael Cuddyer, Joe Mauer, Joe Nathan, Eddie Guardado and Brad Radke, as well as both of his Major League managers, Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire.
Fans were treated to a video of Kelly and Gardenhire discussing Koskie’s legendary work ethic as highlights of his defensive exploits played in the background. Cuddyer then introduced Koskie, praising him as a role model and mentioning his penchant for practical jokes -- a sign of Koskie’s respect, if you were one of his victims.
Koskie was the first player born and raised in Manitoba, Canada, to reach the Major Leagues, and in 2001, he became the first American League third baseman with 100 runs, 100 RBIs, 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in the same season.
Other Twins Hall of Famers in attendance included former general managers Terry Ryan and Andy MacPhail, announcer John Gordon, executives Jerry Bell and Jim Rantz, and players Rick Aguliera, Bert Blyleven, Gary Gaetti, Greg Gagne, Dan Gladden, Jim Kaat, Justin Morneau, Jim Perry and two legends who rode in on a bullpen cart -- Rod Carew and Tony Oliva.