Bummer: Coste won’t start season with Phillies

As a former owner I can report that Chris Coste was always a gentleman and a fan favorite with the RedHawks. Fans from Fargo to Philadelphia were pulling for the catcher/corner infielder to finally get his chance in the big leagues but it didn’t happen. Cost was sent down to triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. I hope Phillies GM Pat Gillick will make a deal with a team where Coste can contribute. Manager Charlie would probably prefer that his pitchers not have to face Coste’s bat in the hands of a National League East foe.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Manuel said it was also difficult to send Coste down after he hit .463 with five
doubles, three home runs and 11 RBIs this spring. Now in his 12th season, Coste
has never reached the major leagues.

"He showed us a whole lot, that he could catch and play first base, and I always thought he could hit," Manuel said. "He's in a better position now than when he came into spring training, whether he realizes it or not."

Coste was almost speechless after learning the news before the game. "It's just really difficult right now," he said. Story continues…

It was difficult for your admirers too, Chris.

I guess it is only fitting that in a parting insult the Philidelphia paper misspells Coste’s name: CHRIS CONTE.

Dellucci deal gets Conte down
By MARCUS HAYES
hayesm@phillynews.com
CHRIS CONTE wasn't about to mimic Chris Roberson's platitudes.

Not at 33. Not after having the best spring training of any Phillie. Not after manager Charlie Manuel, who was a large part of the reason why Coste re-signed a minor league deal with the Phillies, stood up and told him as spring training began that every player had a real shot of making the team if they did everything right - even Coste, who, after 11 years of pro ball never tasted the majors. Story continues…