you like baseball, if you like stories of overcoming longshot odds, this is a great book, Wellwritten in a casual style, Chris details his baseballobsessed youth and the long, long time it took him to finally bust into the major leagues, I learned a lot about how the system works, and how sad and frustrating it can be, You have to be pulling hard for Chris after only a couple chapters, And even knowing what happens in the end doesn't diminish the suspense and joy when his dedication finally pays off, Sorry I forgot my book review and read this about two weeks ago:
I liked this book in many ways, First, I like it cause it is about baseball and I play Baseball, Also, the book has the theme that its never to late to fufill your dreams, Although, this book angers me that Chris didn't go to the Mets haha and instead was in thwe Phillies farm System, This book is a good read for those who believe in comeback stories and love baseball, Great baseball book, but a little too much baseball for me, I am adding it to my high school collection though, Rating:
ofoutstanding
:
Chris Costes account of his baseball journey through an independent league, the minor league system and finally to the major leagues as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies is one of those stories that make you want to stand up and cheer for the man.
His story is not unique as there are other players who make it to the major leagues after toiling many years in the minor leagues, This story, however, is a refreshing read for people like me who have grown weary of reading about athletes who have one or more of the following traits: massive ego, massive libido, substance abuse, use of performance enhancing drugs, or poor handling of large amounts of money.
Instead, Coste takes us through his trials as a member of the Fargo team in the independent Northern League where he was not only a very good player, he also performed other tasks, including a stint as the merchandising manager in the off season and hosting a sports talk radio show.
As a native of the town, he was contemplating settling in for a career with the team when he would no longer be playing, but when he was offered a contract with the Cleveland Indians, he decided to go for it.
Through many trials and tribulations, times when he would wonder what he had to do in order to make it to the next level, and with love and support from his wife and daughter, Costes story is truly one that has a happy ending when he finally makes it to the majors inwith the Phillies.
Coste writes as if he is truly humbled by the entire experience and he also states in various ways that he is grateful for his chance.
One of these expressions comes when he states that he made a vow to never complain about the amount of taxes taken out of his paycheck as he realizes that as a professional baseball player he is luckier than most.
There is NO mention of performance enhancing drugs, a wild lifestyle off the field, or any of the other trappings that often are the life of the professional athlete.
For that reason alone I found this book to be refreshing,
If you like to read about one of the “good guys” who makes it big thorough hard work, you will want to read this book a fast paced, inspiring book of someone who really was able to fulfill his dream.
Did I skim
No,
Pace of the book:
Excellent, It was a quick read, It was detailed enough to be informative but so much so that it dragged,
Do I recommend
Yes, Not only baseball fans will enjoy this book but anyone who loved a good story of an underdog who was able to accomplish his dreams through perseverance and hard work.
Book Format Read:
Hardcover
Inspiring story about Chris Coste who spent years in the minor leagues before finally breaking through to the big league with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Of particular interest to Philadelphia fans, although any baseball enthusiast would enjoy, While it's bookended by chapters that will primarily appeal to Phillies fans, the bulk of this is great for anyone who feels jaded by baseball's current scandals: a nice story of a guy who just loved playing baseball, no matter where it was pretty refreshing.
An inside look at the convoluted path from a childhood dream to reality, and some of the many obstacles towards becoming a major league ball player, This is wellwritten, and a fast read, It reads almost conversationally, with great insights, This guy's motivation and determination are amazing, I'm biased, but I think that it's a good read for baseball fans and nonfans alike, Update,: Now Mr. Coste is a world Series ring holder! Happily rooted for him, Jamie Moyer, et al, although Coste wasn't able to do a lot in the series, Still great. How can you not love Chris Coste and his rise to the majors He is such a humble athlete and this book was telling of that, I enjoyed this a lot a Cinderella story about a guy who seems quite likable and wellgrounded his story of his baseball career, starting in college, independent league ball, minor leagues, and finally making it as a major league player with the Phillies in, at the age of.
He is now on the Nationals roster, although on the disabled list, and I am hoping that he will come back at some point and I can get the book signed at a fanfest event.
Aside from the personal story, this book is a good inside look at how the independent leagues and minor leagues work relative to the major league e.
g. , star
prospects are sent to where they will get to play the most, and the players with the best stats are not necessarily going to be the ones promoted, so I did learn a lot about that and can recommend the book on that basis alone.
Not exactly complex reading material, but certainly a quick read that any Phillies fan would appreciate, I love Coste! Fargo boy eventually makes the majors, Informally written, but an interesting look inside the life of a minor leaguer, I really enjoyed this book and found myself tearing up with a lump in my throat several times, Chris Coste describes his career very honestly, He stirred up many emotions in me as I read it excited, frustrated, elated, etc, Even if you aren't a Phillies fan, if you love baseball, you will find this book very interesting, Chris Coste dreamed of playing majorleague baseball from the age of seven, But after eleven grueling years in the minors, a spot on a majorleague roster still seemed just out of his reachuntil that fateful call came from the Philadelphia Phillies in May.
At age thirtythree “going on eighty”, Coste was finally heading to the big time,
TheYearOld Rookie is like a reallife Rocky, an unforgettable and inspirational story of one mans unwavering pursuit of a lifelong goal, Beginning in a singleparent home in Fargo, North Dakota, and ending behind home plate on the flawless diamond of the Phillies Citizens Bank Parkwhere fans and teammates call him “Chris Clutch” because of his knack for getting timely hitsthis intimate account of Costes baseball odyssey is a powerful story of determination, perseverance, and passion.
For eleven seasons, Coste hustled, fought, and gritted his way to his breakthroughand never lost faith in his abilities, Along the way, he gained the affection and admiration of baseball fans from Ottawa and Scranton to various Mexican and Venezuelan cities, Battered by years spent behind a catchers mask, and faced with bracing realitiesthere were bills to pay, and his young daughter was entering first gradeCoste decided to give it one last shot in.
But that year, during the Phillies majorleague spring training, Coste was demoted to the minors at the last minute to make room for a utility outfielder, despite having hit a blistering.
and earning the trust of the teams pitchers, Later that season, though, Coste finally got the callup, and he hit,during the Phillies furious battle to nail down the final postseason berth,
Coste takes us through thespring training seasonwith its pulsequickening moments and close callsand into his first season as a majorleague catcher with the Phillies.
From tense stretchrun games that kept Phillies fans on the edge of their seats to moments of intimate personal reflection, Costes saga offers baseball aficionados an inside look at a remarkable life and career.
In this stirring, wry, and candid look at the life of a professional baseball nomad who never surrendered his dream, we savor the sometimes bittersweet fruits of victory against seemingly insurmountable odds.
This is a wellwritten true story of how Chris Coste finally became a major league baseball player after spendingyears in the minor leagues, It is a love story, both to his family for their constant and neverwavering support, as well as to the game of baseball,
Anyone who roots for the underdog, and is in anyway a sports fan, will enjoy this book, I recall some months ago when I saw a blurb about this book, about ayear old Rookie in the Major Leagues, As I am in this age group, this kind of story intrigued me so I decided to get this book,
Chris's story does not disappoint, The phase that comes to mind when I hear his name is "If at first you don't succeed, try and try again", Here is a man who tried unsuccessfully foryears to break into the major leagues from every possible angle and finally when he got called up to the Phillies, makes his presence known.
And to top it all off, Mr, Coste is very humble in telling his story, making one want to root for him as they read it to make it into the big show,
If you are looking for a story that inspires and does not preach, then Chris Coste's book is for you, Rated abecause it's such a great story, and heartwarming on multiple levels, Writing quality is more like a, but I highly recommend this book to any Phillies fan, or anyone interested in the climb from high school to college to minor to major leagues.
Just a great, fast, fun read about personal drive, perseverance, hard work, strong family amp character, and with lots of insidebaseball details, including some funny stories, in a time of quick fixes and instant gratification, tales of perseverance and triumph are easily overlooked, but this story exemplifies tenacity at its finest, chris coste knows well the dividends paid by resolve and determination, and his autobiography is a testament to the benevolent power of will and selfconfidence,
an allamerican in college, coste spent eleven years in the minor leagues including seasons in the international and mexican pacific leagues, before his debut in a philadelphia phillies uniform at the age of thirtythree, in.
despite many setbacks and the normally short shelf life of most professional athletes, coste fervently believed his talent was evident enough that he'd eventually earn the chance to play major league baseball.
buoyed by a inconceivably supportive wife, coste strived continually to achieve his dream, surprising many, but never himself,
coste writes engagingly well, with abundant humor and obvious humility, entering theseason, coste remains on the phillies active roster, sporting a modest,lifetime batting average. john kruk says it best in his foreword, "chris coste's story inspires everyone, because in an era of spoiled, overcoached athletes, he's a throwback, " indeed.
go phils. .