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(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Catch Chris at one of the following places for the book signing of "The 33-Year Old Rookie".
Saturday, April 12th
Citizens Bank Park
Majestic Clubhouse Store
Noon-1:30
Saturday, May 3
Citizens Bank Park
Majestic Clubhouse Store
Noon-1:30
Thursday May 29
The Doylestown Bookshop
16 S. Main Street
Doylestown, PA
7:00 PM
Saturday, May 31
Citizens Bank Park
Majestic Clubhouse Store
Noon-1:30
Tuesday, July 15th
Barnes & Noble
Fargo, ND
7 PM
The long wait is over for the much anticipated book highlighting Chris Coste's rise to becoming the one of most-beloved baseball stories. The book "The 33-Year Old Rookie" follows Coste's journey through a decade of life in the minor leagues, winter baseball, and his rise to finally step into the batter's box as a big league catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Order right here by clicking one of the links below:
barnes&noble.com
Ballantine Books, a division of Random House Publishing published the book. It is available at most major bookstores nationwide, including Barnes and Noble.
Coste thanks fans and supporters
"Now that the 2007 season has come to a close, I would
like to say thanks to all the fans that have supported
not only me, but the entire 2007 Phillies as well.
This was definitely a magical season to be a part of,
and on a personal note, in many ways, as great as it
felt to solidify myself with my breakthrough 2006
season, the 2007 season was even more rewarding and
redeeming. After starting the season in Ottawa
(triple-A) and eventually being as far down as Reading
(double-A) in June, I was able to once again establish
myself as a major leaguer. Also, on the final day of
the season, I got to experience the highlight of my
major league career by catching the final pitch from
Brett Myers that clinched the National League East
Title, the Phillies' first title since 1993.
Once again, thanks to all, and here's to an even
better 2008 season!"
Chris Coste
(Mile Kennedy./AP)
NBC Sports delivers a hit with the Coste story
NBCSports.com writer Mike Chiappetta delivered a great article titled "For the Love of the Game" on Chris Coste and his rise to the big leagues. A candid and heartfelt story, Chiappetta captures the highs and lows of the 12-year journey for Coste and how his family has supported him along the way.
Click here to read the article
Click here to download a PDF version.
Coste article on offseason baseball life
Director of Public Relations Leigh Tobin wrote a nice article on Coste and his funny ritual of an annual bat burning event held every offseason during a family camp fire event.
Click here to read the article
Click here to download the PDF version
Coste finishes 2006 season strong
By Wade S. Beavers
A rollercoaster of a ride is the best way to explain the 2006 season for Chris Coste. The Philadelphia Philies catcher began the season as a long-shot to make the Phillies big league club, only to deliver eye-popping offensive numbers in spring training. A .463 BA, 5 doubles, and 3 home runs in only 41 at-bats made for a tough decision on Phillies management to not keep him the 33 year-old rookie catcher on the opening day roster. The Phillies sent Coste down to Scranton-Wilkes the day before opening day, but not long after Coste got the call that he was heading back to to Philadelphia.
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Coste made the best of his situation and soon was spraying line-drives and delivering key hits while handling a Philadelphia pitching staff that improved as the season went along. Player trades from the Phillies organization changed the face of the team and over time, the Phillies were suddenly in the hunt for a potential post-season spot come October. Coste's performance was a key part of the successful run by the Phillies, delivering crucial hits and earning the respect of his teammates and the nickname "Chris Clutch" given to him by Phillie star first baseman Ryan Howard.
Coste's final 2006 statistics were stellar with a team leading .328 BA along with 7 home runs, 14 doubles, 25 runs scored and 32 RBI's. Coste was rewarded for his efforts by the Philadelphia Chapter of Baseball Writers Association of America with the 2006 Dallas Green Award, given to the most inspirational acheivemant of a player during the 2006 season.
Inspirational is an understatement to what Coste has accomplished. An undrafted player back in 1995, Coste defied all obstacles put in front of him to make his 12-year journey through the minors and finally to the big leagues even more worthy of praise. It's one thing to reach the goal of making to the big leagues, it's another to deliver all-star performances consistantly. Coste's performance defied the aging process of an athlete and the rigorous demands of catching throughout a whole major league season.
His performance and passion for the game is evident in the way he plays. Phillie fans embraced his fervor and a Phillie loyalists in left-field became known as "The Coste Guard Crew". This success story is not at its end just yet, Coste is destined to continue the success of 2006 into 2007 and the Phillies quest for a NL East Division title.
