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The 33-Year-Old Rookie: How I Finally Made it to the Big Leagues After Eleven Years in the Minors | 
 enlarge | Author: Chris Coste
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $25.00
Buy New: $15.24
You Save: $9.76 (39%)
New (25) Used (5) from $15.24
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 1460
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6 x 1.1
ISBN: 1400066867
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.357092
EAN: 9781400066865
ASIN: 1400066867
Publication Date: March 18, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new book. Over 3.5 million customers served. Order now. Selling books online since 1995. Order with confidence. Code: B20080511230353T
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Product Description
Chris Coste dreamed of playing major-league baseball from the age of seven. But after eleven grueling years in the minors, a spot on a major-league roster still seemed just out of his reach–until that fateful call came from the Philadelphia Phillies in May 2006. At age thirty-three (“going on eighty”), Coste was finally heading to the big time.
The 33-Year-Old Rookie is like a real-life Rocky, an unforgettable and inspirational story of one man’s unwavering pursuit of a lifelong goal. Beginning in a single-parent home in Fargo, North Dakota, and ending behind home plate on the flawless diamond of the Phillies’ Citizens Bank Park–where fans and teammates call him “Chris Clutch” because of his knack for getting timely hits–this intimate account of Coste’s baseball odyssey is a powerful story of determination, perseverance, and passion.
For eleven seasons, Coste hustled, fought, and gritted his way to his breakthrough–and 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 catcher’s mask, and faced with bracing realities–there were bills to pay, and his young daughter was entering first grade–Coste decided to give it one last shot in 2006. But that year, during the Phillies’ major-league spring training, Coste was demoted to the minors at the last minute to make room for a utility outfielder, despite having hit a blistering .463 and earning the trust of the team’s pitchers. Later that season, though, Coste finally got the call-up, and he hit .364 during the Phillies’ furious battle to nail down the final postseason berth.
Coste takes us through the 2006 spring training season–with its pulse-quickening moments and close calls–and into his first season as a major-league catcher with the Phillies. From tense stretch-run games that kept Phillies’ fans on the edge of their seats to moments of intimate personal reflection, Coste’s 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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
One of the best three baseball books this year April 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a wonderfully entertaining book. It is great to read about people like Chris who work hard trying to reach their goal, and then to actually make it. Well-written. This book, along with "Working at the Ballpark" by Tom Jones, and "We Would have Played for Nothing" by Fay Vincent, are the top baseball books of the year because they provide truthful and poignant stories of what it's truly like to work in major league baseball.
An inspiring story April 26, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Philadelphia Phillies catcher Chris Coste has written an inspirational account about what it takes to get to the major leagues. Coste, a backup catcher, shares the heartaches, self-doubts and physical injuries he had to endure during his 11 years in the minors. He gives the reader an interesting look at life in the minors and with independent teams. Although Coste was determined to make it to the majors, there are hundreds of others who are just as talented and as determined who don't achieve their dreams.
Coste's book is refreshing in that he's a player who appreciates everything he receives as a major leaguer. He vows not to complain about how much taxes he pays on his major league minimum salary of $370,000. He's a down-to-earth guy who hasn't been jaded by the major league life, and hopefully will never succumb to the pitfalls.
You can't help but to root for Coste and cheer for him when he does well in the book. Any one who reads this book will be a Chris Coste fan. The book is thin at 196 pages and easy to read. While adults will enjoy it, I believe younger readers who don't know much about what it takes to get to the majors will also find it interesting and enjoyable.
 A winner, both Chris Coste and this book! April 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The inspiring story of a thirty-three year old
baseball player, who finally makes it to the
Majors after 11 seasons in the Minor Pros, in-
cluding a stint in Manitoba! Highly recommended!
What a Roller"Coster" Ride to the Majors! March 31, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is a story about a nice guy finishing first. Surrounded by a great support system and through patience and determination -- his dream of becoming a major league baseball player is realized. Chris takes you through his college and minor league days. His thought process is examined in detail as he deals with the adversity. The 33-Year Old Rookie is a refreshing story -- not once is steroids mentioned or whining about not being paid enough. Chris Coste is clearly grounded and humbled by the opportunity of living dream that so many dream about. If you looking for a "feel good" story then I highly recommend this book.
Rookie No More March 26, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Having read Chris' first autobiography "Hey... I'm Just the Catcher" (1997, limited print run in Fargo) which was OK, this is definitely his major league effort. His story is the definition of perseverance and really matched the title of the book this would have been had he not made it to the show: "Rollercoster."
His story, especially with his current success is a fun and quick read (it took me less than 5 hours). The beginning (preface & Chapter 1) are particularly well written and enjoyable. The middle portion covering his childhood and time in indy ball through '97 (largely excerpted from his first autobio that ends) now part of a great story arc. With more, and more interesting characters (players & family) to include in his story it flows better.
If there's any real problem with the book IMO it's that after all the drama leading, preparing you for his debut, that portion seems somewhat short. Then again, I'm sure that's pretty much how he experienced it --years of disappointments and rejections with a sudden surprise call-up and quick trip onto the field. Maybe a future edition will end with an even higher achievement like making the World Series.
As others have suggested in other reviews, this book seems ready for a movie (or TV) adaptation. Some of the moments (especially quotes from his daughter Casey) are tailor-made for the large (or small) screen. I for one hope that someone will see this as an even better story than "The Rookie." Chris put more into his career and has done more with it after finally making it.
Who is this book for?
This book is also written for a pretty wide audience with little to offend. Unlike many current baseball books, there are only a handful of expletives (which you can count on one hand with no F-bombs), no stories of sexual exploits, illicit drugs (including steroids) or drinking. If it were a movie it would be no worse than PG-13. Its focuses on Chris' love of baseball and his (and his wife's) determination to follow his dream all the way to the show.
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