Chris Coste Tribute

Orginally featured on Phillies Nation.

He is not a Hall of Famer. He is not an All Star. He isn't the most popular player. Still, it was impossible to root against Chris Coste.

Coste fought his way through the minor leagues, spending 12 years without having a cup of coffee. In 2005, the Phillies signed Coste to a minor league deal. Coste spent the entire season at Triple-A Scranton Wilks-Barre.

In 2006, Coste was invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee for the second straight year. He was impressive, hitting .463 with 3 home runs. It appeared that Coste won a spot on the Phillies roster, but it wasn't meant to be. He started the year in Triple-A.

At 33 years, 111 days, Coste made his Major League debut on May 26, 2006. Coste went 0-for-his-first-13. Well, it was a good story. At least he finally made it to the Majors. But all anybody wanted to see was for him to get one hit before being sent down. On June 16, 2006, Coste singled up the middle against Devil Ray's pitcher James Shields for his first Major League hit.

On July 19, he slugged his first Major League home run. It was a long one, reaching the porches at Petco Park. In 2006, he batted .328 with 7 HR and 32 RBI.

In 2007, Coste found himself in the minor leagues again after the Phillies signed Rod Barajas. However, Coste was back in the Majors after several Phillies suffered injuries. He was a contributor to the Phillies 2007 National League East title, batting .279 with 5 HR. Brett Myers will always have the sign to Chris Coste to clinch the division.

In 2008, Coste survived the whole year without being sent down to the minor leagues. He even started Game 1 of the World Series as the designated hitter. Coste had only one hit during the entire postseason, but five years ago nobody imaged Coste being on a postseason roster.

Coste wasn't the best defensive catcher, but it was always exciting to watch him throw runners out from his knees. He didn't have the prettiest swing, but he managed to bat .288 with 21 home runs in the big leagues.

“I know people appreciated my story,” Coste said. “You could write a book about
it. But I hope that when my career is over, they’ll say he was a good story, but
he was a pretty good player, as well. If you look at the back of my baseball
card, I’m not a Hall of Famer, I’m not an All-Star, but I had some decent
production. I just want to maintain that and stay in the big leagues as long as
possible because I was in the minor leagues for 12 or 13 years. I definitely
don’t want to go back. I want to make this dream last as long as possible.”

A personal favorite Coste moment came in August of 2008 when the Phillies were trailing the New York Mets 7-0. Chris Coste did not start, however, he went 4-for-4 coming off the bench. In the 13th inning, he hit a walk-off single in the Phillies 8-7 come from behind win.

Whether moving him was appropriate or not is another story. He fit in Philadelphia during the time he was here. Whether you read his books or not, it was impossible to root against Chris Coste. The Coste Guards will miss him, and best of luck to him with the Houston Astros.

Injury Report

The Phillies were able to remain healthy in 2008 which was a big factor to winning the World Series. In 2009, the Phillies have had a few hit by the injury bug so far.

Chase Utley is taking his final steps to getting closer to Grapefruit League action. Utley could appear in games as early as next week.

Pedro Feliz played in Friday's game against the Pirates. He was 0-2, but says there is no doubt he will be ready for opening day. He also appeared in a simulation game on Wednesday.

After recovering from a shoulder injury suffered earlier in the spring, Jayson Werth experienced "a little tweak." Scheduled to play in Thursday's game, he was scratched from the lineup due to a groin injury.

Chris Coste and Chad Durbin both returned from hamstring pulls. On Wednesday, Coste was 1-2 with a home run during a simulated game.

Durbin allowed 2 hits and one run and struck out one in one inning of work. Durbin didn't feel any pain while pitching.

Brad Lidge also pitched in the simulated game on Wednesday. Lidge allowed a home run and struck out a batter in an inning of work.

"I felt good," Lidge said. "I actually felt a little better than I thought I
would feel. I think the slider was better than it usually is this time of year.
My fastball didn't feel great, so I'll definitely have to work on that location.
That's pretty standard for me in Spring Training."

QUOTE SOURCE: Phillies.com

Coste A Trade Possibility?

With the emergence of Lou Marson and addition of Ronnie Paulino, Chris Coste seems out of the loop. The Phillies could use a left handed relief pitcher, and although Coste is one, a right handed bat off the bench. Trading Coste is a very likely option for the Phillies, and there are teams that could use him.

The Florida Marlins had some interest in Coste earlier and former fish, Ivan Rodriguez. The Marlins are high on their catcher, John Baker, but could use a backup. Coste would be a solid backup for the Marlins.

The San Diego Padres are having some catching issues. They will likely use Nick Hundley as their backstop, with Henry Blanco as their backup. Coste would likely get more playing time in San Diego as the Padres could use some depth at the catching position.

The Blue Jays are also in need of another catcher. The only catcher listed on their 40 man roster is former Phillie, Rod Barajas. In a limited number of at bats, Barajas batted .249 with 11 home runs. Barajas isn't an everyday catcher, and neither is Coste, but they could platoon. Either way, the Blue Jays need another catcher.

As of now, the Detroit Tigers also could use a catcher to add some depth. The names Matt Treanor, Dusty Ryan, and Gerald Laird don't stand out, but are listed on their 40 man. None of these players had over 400 at bats last season. The Tigers could use a starting catcher other than another backup.

So far the Astros' J.R. Towles has been a disappoint. He was supposed to be up there like Geovanny Soto, but had a batting average under the Mendoza line last season. The Astors will hope Towles can rebound, but the Astros could also use somebody to play behind him. With a short left field fence, Coste would fit well in an Astros uniform.

While there are established catchers like Joe Mauer and Brian McCann, there are some young players on the rise like Soto and Orioles prospect Matt Wieters. Some teams could use a guy like Coste, while others are already set.

Diamondbacks Sign Flash

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed former Phillie, Tom "Flash" Gordon to a one year deal worth $500,000 with incentives. Gordon, 41, missed most of last season recovering from ulnar nerve decompression surgery.

After making the All Star team in 2006, in 34 appearances last season, Flash posted an ERA of 5.16 and WHIP of 1.62. In 2007, Gordon made 44 appearance with a 4.73 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.

Gordon's numbers have declined the past few seasons and a lot may have to do with injuries. Either way, its a low risk deal for the Diamondbacks.

The Florida Marlins are interested in not only Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, but Chris Coste as well. The Phillies want to evaluate Ronnie Paulino before they decide to move Coste. Another catching option for the Phillies could include Lou Marson.

Year In Review: August

The playoff race entered August, the dog days of summer.

Rudy Seanez was placed on the disabled list after injuring his shoulder on a diving tag play at first base. The Phillies soon acquired Scott Eyre, a left hander who had been released by the Chicago Cubs.

Pedro Feliz and Geoff Jenkins returned from the DL in August. Later in the month, the Phillies acquired Matt Stairs from the Toronto Blue Jays for Fabio Castro.

The big games:

August 8: Pat Burrell tied the game in the 8th inning with an RBI single against the St. Louis Cardinals. Later in the inning, Shane Victorino hit a 3 run home run to give the Phillies the lead. The Phillies hung on to win the game 5-4.

August 11-14: 4 games in L.A, 4 losses in L.A. The Phillies were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers, all in close games. The Phillies lost most of those games in the late innings, the few games in which the bullpen did not hold up and were not able to turn the ball over to Brad Lidge. In game 3, Nomar Garciaparra hit a walk off home run off Clay Condrey.

August 22-25: A week after being swept by the Dodgers, the Phillies redeemed themselves. The Phillies blew out the Dodgers in the first 2 games. Game 3 lasted 11 innings. The Phillies were down 2-1 in the 9th inning. Pedro Feliz, who did not start the game, singled to drive in the tying run. In the 11th, Feliz struck again, but with a 3 run walk off home run as the Phillies won 5-2. On the 25th, Myers pitched 7 shutout innings as the Phillies swept the Dodgers at home.

August 26: The Phillies were down 7-0 against the New York Mets. Jamie Moyer struggled, allowing 6 earned runs. However, the Phillies started to come back slowly off Pedro Martinez, who lasted just 5 innings. Rollins and Howard each homered to put the Phillies closer. Down 7-6 With 2 outs in the 9th inning, Jayson Werth singled to get things started. Eric Bruntlett doubled to the gap in right center field as Werth scored, tying the game. In the 13th inning with bases loaded and one out, Chris Coste smoked the ball to straight away center field. Victorino scored the winning run in the Phillies 8-7 come back win.

Other highlights:

August 9: With a 3-1 lead, and one out away from finishing the 8th inning, Charlie Manuel decided that Brett Myers was finished for the evening. Myers left the mound with a few words. Manuel confronted Myers in the dugout, and the two exchanged words, but it was all over after the game.

August 10: Chase Utley breaks the tie in the 7th inning with a 2 run home run to help captivate a Phillies win. How can we forget Jamie Moyer hustling down first base running over umpire Randy Marsh?

August 15: In a game for the ages, Jamie Moyer beat Greg Maddux in a 1-0 pitchers duel in San Diego.

August 19: Tied at 4 in the 8th inning, Jayson Werth hit a solo home run to give the Phillies the lead. As usual, the Phillies held on in the 9th inning to win.

August 20: Brett Myers pitched a complete game shutout against the Washington Nationals. Myers had a season best, 1.65 ERA in the month of August.

As a team, the Phillies did not hit well, batting .231 as a team. The pitching staff collected a 3.34 ERA. The Phillies managed to win games, entering the month of September one game back from the National League East.

The Full Mets and Phillies Experience

Put on my Ryan Howard Phillies T-shirt, charged my camera, and I was ready. Parked in Lincoln Financial's lot, crossed the street to Citizens Bank Park. New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies.



Not knowing that the outfield gates were the only gates open before 5:30, my dad and I waited about 15 minutes in line at the first base gate.

When we finally got in the Met's were taking batting practice. We walked down to the first base foul line to watch, and waited for an autograph.



An hour and a half later, my ticket remained unsigned. $4 for an unused pen. Inches away from getting Hamel's, Utley's and Howard's.

A scary moment happened during Met's batting practice. A little boy fell from the right field wall, a good 10+ feet drop. The Met's players in right field rushed over to him. They called over some help. The boy was down for a few minutes, and he was carted off the field. Hopefully he was OK.

Before the game started we got something to eat. With the cheesesteak lines extremely long, we went to the one with the shortest, Bull's BBQ.

We made our way up to our seats, in the upper level, on the third base side, near left field. The score was already 1-0 by the time we got up there. When we got there, we were already surrounded by Mets fans.


Actually, the ones sitting directly next to us weren't that bad. They seemed okay. However, the ones in the section directly next to us were a little more vocal.

"Let's go Mets!" chants were overshadowed by "Let's go Phillies!" chants.

The game didn't start to pretty for the Phillies. Jamie Moyer was way off. He lasted just 3 innings. It was his shortest outing since 2005 with the Seattle Mariners.



Damian Easley homered to give the Mets an early 3-0 lead. Fernando Tatis would also homer. All of sudden the Mets were somehow up 7-0. With a big lead, the Met's fans felt very comfortable.

Jamie Moyer gave up 6 ER in 3 IP. He gave up 9 hits, but didn't walk a batter. He struck out 3.

"We finally got a run!", a Phillies fan said as Shane Victorino crossed the plate on Pedro Feliz' sac fly. 7-1.


Slowly, but surely, the Phillies were starting to come back. Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard each hit a homerun, and all of a sudden the game was 7-5.

The 5 runs all of Pedro Matrinez. The Phillies still had the Met's bullpen left. A bullpen without Billy Wagner.

In the 8th inning, we moved down to the third base line. We started up, then slowly move our way down each inning.

The further we moved down, the more you could sense the growing rivalry. Some fans were trash talking each other.

In the 8th, Rollins hit an RBI single to score Carlos Ruiz. 7-6.

Pat Burrell hit a deep fly ball that would of gave the Phillies the lead. However, it was caught at the warning track. A Met's fan in front of us turned around, looked at my dad, and said "Phew!"

That "Phew!" didn't last too long.

The big hit came in the bottom of the 9th. Without anybody else to use, the Phillies would rely on Eric Bruntlett with 2 outs. Bruntlett was saved because he was the last bench player to use.

Carlos Ruiz played 3rd base for a few innings, while Chris Coste caught. Funny, because Coste has more experience at 3rd base. He played 3rd when he first got called up, and in the minors. Using those to players at once while saving Bruntlett was a good idea, but maybe Coste should of played third.

Bruntlett doubles to right center field, and Jayson Werth scored all the way from first base. If the throw was handled cleanly, Werth may have been out, but instead in bounced away from the catcher, Schnieder.

A tie game. 7 unanswered runs. 7 isn't a lucky number for the Mets. They blew a 7 game lead last year.

The game would go to extras. Both teams had all the chances in the world to score, but didn't.

The Phillies bullpen pitched a full game. 9 innings, and only 1 earned run off Clay Condrey. Condrey got a big double in the 5th to get things started.

In the 11th, a few Met's fans started cheering, "Let's go Mets!" A Met's fan in front of said in response to his own people, "Shut up. We blew a 7 run lead."

The 13th inning. 7 and 13. Superstition numbers. Victorino tripled down the right field line. With nobody left for the Phillies to use, the Met's decided to intentionally walk Werth and Bruntlett.

Brett Myers would pinch hit for Rudy Seanez. Manuel told Myers not to swing at anything, to prevent the double play.

Chris Coste would follow. Coste came in during the 8th inning. Already 3-3, Coste smacked the ball to center field. Beltran just walked back to the dugout. He didn't even go after it, or look at it.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PHILLY.COM

I high fived a bunch of Phillies fans around me, even though I never met them before. It's cool how everybody just comes together as one during a game.

On the other hand, the Mets fans just put their hands on their heads.

About 12:45 AM, the Phillies won, 8-7. A Met's fan said to my dad, "Oh well, there is always tonight."

Phillies back where they belong in first place. It must of been a long ride home up 95 North.

Payback: Part I

70's retro night at the ballpark and the Phillies did what they did a lot in the 1970's: win.

The Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-1 in game one of this 4 game series.

The Phillies have had some offensive struggles, so Charlie Manuel moved Utley up to the number two spot. Burrell moved up to the number three spot. Would a new lineup and approach pay off?

The Dodgers swept the Phillies at Dodger Stadium last week, and the Phillies will seek revenge this week.

The Phillies were able to start that revenge tonight by scoring 7 runs off Greg Maddux.

Greg Maddux last faced the Phillies last week when he was with the Padres, before he got traded. In that game, he allowed just 1 run in 7 innings. Tonight was a whole new ballgame.

In 5.2 innings, Maddux allowed 7 earned runs on 9 hits. He walked 1 and struck out 4.

Kyle Kendrick, who wasn't even alive in the 1970's, got the start for the Phillies. He lasted 5.2 innings, and gave up just 1 ER on just 3 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 3.

The Dodgers took an early lead in the first inning on an Andre Eithier solo homerun.

Maddux was cruising along until the 4th inning. A 10 pitch at bat to Pat Burrell changed the rest of the game. Burrell drew the walk. Ryan Howard followed with a 2 run homerun to give the Phillies the lead.

The Phillies didn't look back. The Phillies finally managed a game where the offense and pitcing delivered.

Chris Coste went 2-4 including a 3 run homerun in the 6th inning. It was his 9th of the year. Coste also had an RBI single.

Chase Utley hit his 31st homerun of the year, a solo shot in the 7th inning.

Every win from now on is huge for the Phillies, and this was no different. The Phillies will try and take game 2 of the series with Cole Hamels on the mound tommorrow.