With the National League Philadelphia Phillies needing a designated hitter while playing in the American League park, manager Charlie Manuel turned to the former Northern Leaguer Chris Coste to fill the role.

 

Coste hit in the eight spot of the Phillies lineup and finished the game 0-for-5 last night in game one of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. 

 

Coste, 35, batted .263 with 17 doubles, nine home runs, 36 RBIs and 28 runs scored in 274 at bats in 2008 for the Phillies.  He has appeared in one post-season game, going 1-for-1 in the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

Coste signed with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks for the team’s inaugural season in 1996 following short stints in 1995 in the independent North Central and Prairie Leagues. 

“Chris’ story is amazing, and this is just another chapter of a book that keeps getting better,” said RedHawks General Manager Josh Buchholz.  “It’s a testament to his ability and determination that he has been able to put himself into this position.  We are extremely proud to see Chris performing on the biggest stage in baseball.”

 

An All-American third baseman and pitcher at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., Coste became a full-time catcher with the RedHawks in 1996 and was a Northern League All-Star in each of his four seasons with the hometown RedHawks.  He was named the Championship Series MVP while leading Fargo-Moorhead to the franchise’s first Northern League title in 1998.