Chris Coste
Encyclopedia
Christopher Robert Coste (born February 4, 1973 in Fargo, North Dakota
) is an author and Major League Baseball
catcher
who is currently a free agent
. Coste was on a Major League Baseball
team for the first time in his career at age 33. He is currently an analyst on Post Game Live for the Philadelphia Phillies
.
, Coste went to Kishwaukee College for 1 year, a Division II college, but later left. He then attended classes and played baseball for Concordia College
, a Division III school in Minnesota, where he was a three-time All-American. He started his professional career in 1995 playing for Brainerd, Minnesota
in the independent North Central League. When the league folded in July he joined the Brandon
Grey Owls in the independent Prairie League
. From 1996 to 1999, he played four seasons for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
of the independent Northern League.
organization, having gotten significant playing with then Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons
. He spent 2003 with the Boston Red Sox organization and 2004 in the Milwaukee Brewers
system. Coste first signed with the Phillies in 2005, spending the entire season with their Triple-A affiliate, then known as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons
.
. After starting the 2007 season in Triple-A, Coste was called back up to the majors on May 12, 2007.
On May 25, 2007, Ryan Howard
was re-activated off the DL
and the Phillies sent Coste back to the minors to Double-A Reading
. Coste chose to go to Reading so that he could start and play every day, and because it would help the club if he was ready, rather than being Jason Jaramillo
's backup at Triple-A Ottawa
. In late June 2007, Coste was called back up from Reading as a result of Jon Lieber
's season-ending injury and Jayson Werth
's wrist injury. Coste finished the 2007 season with a .278 batting average
, 5 home run
s, and 22 RBI
in 48 games.
For the 2008 season, Coste was slated as the Phillies' backup catcher behind Carlos Ruiz. In a game against the Mets on August 26, 2008, Coste went 4 for 4 without even starting the game. He entered as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, and became the first player in 63 years to appear at least that late into a game but still record 4 hits. He delivered a game-winning walk-off single in the 13th inning.
Coste is very popular with Phillies fans and has a fan club that is at every Phillies game known as the Coste Guard. They wear red bathing suits and white T-shirt
s. They also wear sunglasses, and sunscreen on their nose; fans can hear their whistles which they use to help cheer on the Phillies and Chris Coste.
On October 29, 2008, Chris became the first player that originated from Division III college baseball's MIAC to win a World Series.
Lance Berkman
's injured calf, Coste found playing time at first base for the Astros.
. Before the season began he injured his elbow which required Tommy John surgery in May 2010. He was released on June 5, 2010.
. This book covers Chris' professional career up through his third season (2008) with the Phillies. It includes nearly all the historical material found in his first book (independent baseball) as well as the time in the affiliated minor leagues
.
Due to the recent success of films about athletes such as Vince Papale
and Jim Morris
, movie studio representatives have contacted Coste about the possibility of a movie about his struggle from career minor-leaguer to the majors.
. He appears on Phillies Pregame Live and Postgame Live shows. He also appears on Daily News Live.
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
) is an author and Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. Coste was on a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
team for the first time in his career at age 33. He is currently an analyst on Post Game Live for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
Playing career
After attending Fargo South High SchoolFargo South High School
Fargo South High School is a public high school built in 1967 and located in Fargo, North Dakota. The main campus serves about 1,600 students, while freshmen attend South Campus II , bringing the total student population to around 2,100. The school is a part of the Fargo Public Schools system...
, Coste went to Kishwaukee College for 1 year, a Division II college, but later left. He then attended classes and played baseball for Concordia College
Concordia College, Moorhead
Concordia College is a private liberal arts school located in Moorhead, Minnesota, United States. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and offers bachelors' degrees in the arts and music, as well as a master's degree in education. The college was founded by Norwegian...
, a Division III school in Minnesota, where he was a three-time All-American. He started his professional career in 1995 playing for Brainerd, Minnesota
Brainerd, Minnesota
Brainerd is a city in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 13,590 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Crow Wing County and one of the largest cities in Central Minnesota...
in the independent North Central League. When the league folded in July he joined the Brandon
Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, Canada, and is located in the southwestern area of the province. Brandon is the largest city in the Westman region of Manitoba. The city is located along the Assiniboine River. Spruce Woods Provincial Park and CFB Shilo are a relatively short distance...
Grey Owls in the independent Prairie League
Prairie League
The Prairie League was an independent league of baseball which was based in the prairie provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba and the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The league was original in its naming by choosing not to resurrect a name previously used by a...
. From 1996 to 1999, he played four seasons for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks are a professional baseball team based in Fargo, North Dakota, in the United States. The RedHawks are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the independent Northern League.
Early career
In 2000, Coste signed with the Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
organization, having gotten significant playing with then Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
. He spent 2003 with the Boston Red Sox organization and 2004 in the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
system. Coste first signed with the Phillies in 2005, spending the entire season with their Triple-A affiliate, then known as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees are a professional minor league baseball club located based in the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area. They currently play in the International League's Northern Division and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball club...
.
Philadelphia Phillies
He remained with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre until his promotion to the Phillies, facilitated by his fantastic performance in 2006 spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. After starting the 2007 season in Triple-A, Coste was called back up to the majors on May 12, 2007.
On May 25, 2007, Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard
Ryan James Howard is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. Nicknamed "The Big Piece", Howard stands and weighs . He bats and throws left-handed....
was re-activated off the DL
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
and the Phillies sent Coste back to the minors to Double-A Reading
Reading Phillies
The Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
. Coste chose to go to Reading so that he could start and play every day, and because it would help the club if he was ready, rather than being Jason Jaramillo
Jason Jaramillo
Jason Cory Jaramillo is a catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He played collegiately at Oklahoma State University. Jaramillo was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the second round of the 2004 MLB Draft. He was also ranked one of the top ten prospects in the Phillies system for...
's backup at Triple-A Ottawa
Ottawa Lynx
The Ottawa Lynx were a minor league baseball team that formerly competed in the Triple-A International League from 1993 to 2007. The team's home field was Lynx Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario. Over the team's 15 seasons, it was the Triple-A Minor League affiliate of the Montreal Expos , Baltimore...
. In late June 2007, Coste was called back up from Reading as a result of Jon Lieber
Jon Lieber
Jonathan Ray Lieber is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Phillies . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
's season-ending injury and Jayson Werth
Jayson Werth
Jayson Richard Gowan Werth is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies. He bats and throws right-handed.-Background:Werth was born in...
's wrist injury. Coste finished the 2007 season with a .278 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, 5 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, and 22 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
in 48 games.
For the 2008 season, Coste was slated as the Phillies' backup catcher behind Carlos Ruiz. In a game against the Mets on August 26, 2008, Coste went 4 for 4 without even starting the game. He entered as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, and became the first player in 63 years to appear at least that late into a game but still record 4 hits. He delivered a game-winning walk-off single in the 13th inning.
Coste is very popular with Phillies fans and has a fan club that is at every Phillies game known as the Coste Guard. They wear red bathing suits and white T-shirt
T-shirt
A T-shirt is a style of shirt. A T-shirt is buttonless and collarless, with short sleeves and frequently a round neck line....
s. They also wear sunglasses, and sunscreen on their nose; fans can hear their whistles which they use to help cheer on the Phillies and Chris Coste.
On October 29, 2008, Chris became the first player that originated from Division III college baseball's MIAC to win a World Series.
Houston Astros
Coste was claimed off waivers on July 10, 2009 by the Astros. Due to starting first basemanFirst baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
's injured calf, Coste found playing time at first base for the Astros.
Washington Nationals
On March 29, 2010, Coste was claimed off waivers by the Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. Before the season began he injured his elbow which required Tommy John surgery in May 2010. He was released on June 5, 2010.
Hey... I'm Just the Catcher
Coste wrote his first book about his experiences in professional baseball: "Hey... I'm Just the Catcher: An Inside Look at a Northern League Season From Behind the Plate," published in 1997. This book covers his first few seasons in independent baseball leagues, mainly the RedHawks (in his hometown). This book is out of print and supplanted by his new book.The 33-Year-Old Rookie
2008 saw the release of Coste's second autobiography, "The 33-Year-Old Rookie: How I Finally Made it to the Big Leagues After Eleven Years in the Minors." The book, which chronicles Coste's first season in the majors, contains a foreword by John KrukJohn Kruk
John Martin Kruk is a former Major League Baseball player and current baseball analyst for ESPN.-Early life and career:...
. This book covers Chris' professional career up through his third season (2008) with the Phillies. It includes nearly all the historical material found in his first book (independent baseball) as well as the time in the affiliated minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
.
Due to the recent success of films about athletes such as Vince Papale
Vince Papale
Vincent Francis Papale is a former professional American football player. He played three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League following two seasons with the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League...
and Jim Morris
Jim Morris
James "Jimmy" Samuel Morris, JR is a former American professional baseball player known for his brief Major League Baseball career....
, movie studio representatives have contacted Coste about the possibility of a movie about his struggle from career minor-leaguer to the majors.
Broadcasting career
Coste is now an in-studio analyst on Comcast SportsNetComcast SportsNet
Comcast SportsNet is a group of regional sports networks in the United States primarily owned by the Comcast cable television company....
. He appears on Phillies Pregame Live and Postgame Live shows. He also appears on Daily News Live.