Title/Author:
“The
33-Year-Old Rookie: How I Finally Made It to the Big Leagues after 11 years in
the Minors” by Chris Coste
Tags:
Baseball, autobiography,
Phillies
Published:
March 18,
2008
Length:
199 pages
Rating:
5 of 5
stars (outstanding)
Review:
Chris
Coste’s 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, Coste’s story is truly one that has a happy ending when he finally
makes it to the majors in 2006 with 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
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