Corey Koskie has repeatedly walked into door frames over the past 2 1/2 years. He's gotten dizzy strolling through the mall. He's felt nauseous watching hockey or 24 on TV. He's gotten excruciating headaches while playing with his three boys.
That's why no player was happier than him to be at the Englebert Complex in Dunedin, Fla., where the Canadian national team gathered yesterday afternoon to begin preparations for the World Baseball Classic. As recently as last fall Koskie was simply trying to get his life back together after a severe case of post-concussion syndrome. Now he's back playing a game he loves, trying to restart a career interrupted by an innocent-looking fall to the ground on July 5, 2006, while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.
The third baseman will suit up for Canada at the tournament and then try to win a job with the Chicago Cubs, with whom he signed a minor-league deal over the weekend, things the 35-year-old used to think would never again be possible.
"I had those moments, but once I started getting a lot better I really wanted to get back to it,'' said Koskie, of Anola, Man. "Whatever happens after the WBC, going down to the Cubs, I'll be able to put closure on that part of my life, or move forward (with Baseball)."
The World Baseball Classic starts Thursday. Canada's first game is Saturday at 2 p.m. against the United States at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
Phillies beat Jays
DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Raul Ibanez is starting to show the Phillies what he is capable of doing. Ibanez hit two doubles, Ryan Howard drove a two-run homer off the light tower beyond the right-centre field fence and Philadelphia beat the Toronto Blue Jays 12-7 in exhibition action yesterday.
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