For guys like Cole Hamels, the rise to The Show didn’t take too long. After recovering from a series of injuries, Cole spent about three weeks in the minors in 2006 before getting the call up to the bigs.
But for others, the trip takes longer. And in some cases, much longer.
Chris Coste was one of those players. Having spent most of his career crouched behind the plate of the independent leagues, he is the very definition of a journeyman ballplayer. But since he has been a Phillie, Coste has been a steady right-handed stick who supplies some much needed power when called upon to spell the steady Carlos Ruiz. Regardless of the amount of playing time he gets, the catcher-turned-author-turned World Series champion has had some big moments in a Phillies uniform.
And in the wee hours of August 27th, the 33-year-old rookie would come up huge against the rival New York Mets, which is our 5th biggest moment of the 2008 regular season.
After a four game sweep at home against the Dodgers, the Phillies found themselves right back into the hunt for the National League East with the Mets coming into town for a two game set. Unfortunately for the Phils, Jamie Moyer didn’t have his best stuff and the Metros took full advantage by jumping to a 7-0 lead behind starter Pedro Martinez.
Of course, the Phillies would battle back (does anyone see a theme?), thanks to big flies by Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins, followed by a two-out, ninth inning double by Eric Bruntlett that plated Jayson Werth from first base to tie the game.
Neither team would do much of anything over the next three innings, until Shane Victorino led off the bottom half of the 13th with a triple. The Mets would then intentionally load the bases to face pinch-hitter Brett Myers. After working a full count (foreshadowing, perhaps?) without swinging the bat, Myers would eventually strike out, setting the stage for Coste, who was 3-for-3 after coming off the bench in the 9th inning.
And on an 1-0 pitch from Scott Schoeneweis, Coste launched a fastball to deep center field that landed just shy of the warning track, giving the Phillies the 8-7 win in 13 innings and putting them atop the standings in the NL east.
After the jump, take a look at the longest single in Coste’s career…
24 Responses to “Top 11 Moments of the 2008 Regular Season: Number 5”
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hahaha, Victorino looks like a Monchichi doll in that pic.
The Fightins: The only place on the internet that you can read about Mary, Queen of Scots and obscure cartoons from the 80s.
I was at this one too. I remember sitting up in section 302 with a bunch of Mets fans and they were talking it up the whole game until the Fightins tied it up, then they all left.
I remember I had the feeling that once the game was tied, there was no way in hell the Mets were gonna win, it was just one of those feeling that, no matter what happened, you knew that the Phils were gonna pull it out. Awesome.
That was deinitely the #2 greatest game I was at this past year (WS Game 5, part 2 being #1, of course)
Oh jesus. I’ll always, always remember listening to the last few innings of this game–driving alone through dark woods–Old Gulph Road in Radnor–and honking the horn and screaming out the windows when Costey launched that one over Beltran’s head. What a year.
I was watching this one on my 52incher at home, and I remember I jumped off of my couch, and screamed “FUCK YEAH! THAT’S IT COSTE! THAT’S IT RIGHT FUCKING THERE!”. Needless to say, I woke up my neighbors, who were thoroughly pissed with me.
It was well worth it though.
I was at this game too. I almost left early but gave them until after the 5th. But they scored some runs and kept me there. A lot of people did leave though, and we ended moving down to about 20 rows off of 3rd base. The Brett Myers at-bat was awesome. Everyone was cheering for him more than anyone. People were calling a grand slam haha. But he set up Coste perfectly
I was at this one too. No matter how far behind we are I never leave early. It was my cousin’s first game and when we tied it, I said I hope you know we’re def not leaving now. Hands down the best regular season game of the year. It was crazy seeing Ruiz play third, Brett Myers pinch hitting… it was just an amazing night.
after we get to #1, can we get a few posts of moments that almost made the cut?
these have been by far my favorite posts of the offseason, and i don’t want to see them end until opening day.
@jd: Well you’re in luck, pal. After these Top 11 moments of the regular season, Dash has the following lined up for you, which will lead you right into Opening Day…
Top 11 Moments of the Postseason
Top 11 Most Clutch Phillies
Top 11 Games of the Regular Season
Just got my red 2008 flag shirt…totally wearing that shit to opening night.
Thanks, MikeY. You got your gear before I even got mine, but I’m glad to hear you like it.
@jd: Like meech said, there are three more lists coming, but I was definitely considering doing a list of those that didn’t quite make the cut. And as it seems that folks like yourself would enjoy that as well, then I suppose I can acquiesce and make those available for your reading pleasure.
As much fun as it has been (hopefully) for the readers so far, it’s certainly been my pleasure to do these everyday, and the feedback has been outstanding. I really appreciate the warm welcome from the great fans of The Fightins.
-Dash
A chance at getting the Top 11 TJ Bohn moments?
Right after the Top 11 Wayne Gomes moments.
@ Crane kick: would there even be 11 moments to put in the TJ Bohn list?…he only had 2 hits in 5 ABs and scored 1 run last year.
@ meech: While I do love the flag shirts, I reiterate that the phrase in the description on the page where you buy the shirts (Good Year, Got a Flag to Prove it) should definitely be on the shirt somewhere.
I hear you, although I kinda think it looks too classic with just the flag on there.
Putting it on the back would be an option, but then I’d have to raise the price and I wanna keep the shirts at an affordable $15. I appreciate the feedback, though.
Yeah, I was thinking putting “Good Year” on the front under the flag, and “Got a Flag to Prove it” on the back, but I figured it’d cost more to print on the back…oh well, I like it regardless. I can’t wait to see what other shirts pop up on there as the season goes on.
@MikeY
For a large fee the ‘Tard will stencil any phrase you want on the shirt.
I want a t-shit, but for free. I’ll wear it everywhere, free advertising for y’all.
Thanks ‘tard, but no thanks…I’m thinking of just leaving it how it is.
i had a dream last off season that chris coste and pat burrell would have the two biggest hits in phillies history. while matt stairs and pedro feliz might have better credentials in 2008, its still arguable.
I was there. Best game I ever been to.
Why is Tiger Woods hugging Chris Coste?
phan, with the hair.. vic reminds me of the last samuri in the Last Samuri