But still, could it be that you once had someone convince you to watch the movie Bull Durham? And did you happen to identify with the Kevin Costner character--the older guy who vied for the affections of Susan Sarandon, pitted against the much younger and more virile Tim Robbins character? If baseball players were really like Crash Davis (Costner), instead of those spoiled, overpaid prima donnas, then maybe you'd care.
Well, guess what. Crash Davis lives.
Courtesy of Athlon Sports, here is a career snapshot of the real life Chris Coste, a catcher who finally got his chance with the Philadelphia Phillies last year:
- 34 years old, veteran of five years in the Independent League (i.e., pays minimum wage if you're lucky), as well as a player in five different countries
- Got married on the field while playing for the Fargo-Moorhead franchise in the Northern League (not as bad as it sounds--he was raised in Fargo, so at least he was close to home). While playing, he also worked in the front office, and did a radio show, for which he was paid $12 a day
- Previously signed and released by four different Major League organizations
- Has authored one book on minor league baseball, and another one is on the way
- Finally made his Major League debut last year, at age 33. In his first at-bat, he was hit by a pitch (and believe me, even though 'real' players never rub the wound, it 'really' hurts)
- Improbably, he hit .328 in more than 200 trips to the plate; that would have ranked him #3 among all catchers in baseball had he been granted enough plate appearances to qualify. After the season, the organization voted him 'most inspirational' player
- Despite that performance, he is listed as the #3 catcher this year for the Phillies, and is not even guaranteed a spot on the team
diderot
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