Coste's Blank Look (And More)
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Coste's Blank Look (And More)
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
1) I've received several emails over the past couple of weeks asking what has happened to Chris Coste's catchers mask. He used to sport a nifty little number that features the drawings of a Liberty Bell and the Phillies "P" insignia. Now, he wears an ugly solid red headpiece. And, as we all know, fashion is all about accessorizing. I actually talked to Coste at the beginning of the season a couple of days after he made the change, but didn't think it would be of interest to anybody. But I guess I was wrong. Yesterday I doubled back to make sure I had the details right. Pretty much, Coste has always worn a helmet manufactured by the equipment company All-Star. Its the helmet he's worn behind the plate throughout his first three seasons in the bigs. But early this year, right around the time the Phillies visited Arizona if I recall correctly, the MLBPA sent Coste a letter informing him that his helmet was suddenly in violation of a new equipment contract the league had signed with Wilson. He had two options: wear a Wilson helmet, or get rid of the design-laden All-Star helmet and trade it in for a blank All-Star helmet. He tried the Wilson one, but had a couple of problems with it: first, he didn't like the view from behind the cage. Second, he didn't feel like it offered enough neck protection. So he switched to the ugly blank number you see him wearing now. He has since labelled the rule "Asinine." In fact, he spelled it out for me yesterday: "A-S-I-N-I-N-E." He is a published writer, after all.
2) On to some baseball stuff: So much of the focus was on Brett Myers last night that I didn't pay much attention to one of the big stats to come out of the game: the bottom of the order out-hit the top of the order 5-4. I don't think there is any question that players like Utley, Rollins and Howard need to hit well in order for the Phillies to become a true World Series contender. But the bottom of the order plays a big role itself. You saw how important production down there can be when Chris Coste reached base and ultimately scored on a Jayson Werth double. In fact, the Phillies No. 6, No. 7 and No. 8 hitters -- Shane Victorino, Greg Dobbs and Coste -- scored all four of their runs.
3) I didn't end up writing about this. And, frankly, it was pretty irrelevant by the end of the game. But the gentleman in the elevator told me he was interested in hearing the explanation for the play, so I figure I'll fill him (and you) in. The play where Chris Coste was caught stealing in the top of the seventh was as it appeared: it was supposed to be a hit-and-run, with Brett Myers laying down a bunt and Coste getting a head start en route to second. But Myers missed the sign and didn't offer at the bunt. Coste, who isn't exactly Rocket Man on the basepaths, was dead in the water. Or dirt.
4) Got some confirmation yesterday that the club did indeed shell out $550,000 for 38th-round draft pick Jarred Cosart. So that's two players the Phillies went well above slot in order to keep. While Jon Pettibone, who got $500,000, seemed like he wanted to turn pro regardless of the scholarship from USC he was using as leverage, Cosart seemed perfectly content to attend the University of Missouri. But the Phillies love this kid's upside as a righthanded pitcher, and they were determined to get him into the system.
5) Tonight might be the toughest game of the series. Tim Redding has been lights out in two of his three outings against the Phils. They got to him last time in late July, but in two starts prior he pitched a total of 13 scoreless innings.
6) In that vein, it'll be interesting to see how Kyle Kendrick responds to this rough patch he is currently in. Pitching coach Rich Dubee said yesterday Kendrick suddenly seems scared of contact, that he isn't attacking the strike zone the way he did when he was successful. We'll have to see how that plays itself out tomorrow tonight.
7) I think I got to everything, but if there's anything you're left wondering this morning after, feel free to drop a line.
Could you please explain the absurd play from last night where Ryan Howard lobbed the baseball towards the pitcher's mound after horribly muffing the play?— maximusud- A "bunt-and run"? With a pitcher bunting? Doesn't sound logical to me. Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.— Bob1
- To add to #2- Rollins seems to be coming around. He has been hitting balls hard the last couple of games and it seems likely that his balls will start finding open spaces. It will be that much harder to pitch to our 3-4-5 when Rollins starts getting on base more. And I love Werth at the 2-hole. He is a good enough contact hitter with a high OBP that should get bumped a little higher with Utley, Howard, and Burrell now behind him. It also puts Vic to a more appropriate spot in the lineup. Manuel admits the big reason he liked Vic at the second spot was because of his speed, which isn't a good enough reason considering his below-acceptable OBP for what you would like out of the 2-hole.— CyHamels
- Sounds like an attempt to avoid a DP whith the slow Coste able to get a head start and the housy hitting Myers able to ground out at will. Too bad he missed the sign (maybe this was part of his problems earlier in the year--glasses perhaps Brett?— jeff gross
- that's lousy hitting Myers, my bad— jeff gross
- the premise is sound, except that Myers isn't the most sure-handed bunter. it was a risky proposition regardless, and downright stupid once Brett misses the sign.— RollinsWasRight
- it's one pf those things. If it worked and Coste scores then it is a great play. Obviously if Myers misses the sign Coste is dead meat at second, even with bunt and run a DP was a good possibility— jeff gross
- Where do Utley and Howard rank in 1)combined strike outs and 2)runners-in-scoring-position-left-on-base, versus all AL and NL 1st- and 2nd-place teams' 3-4 hitters?— Scoop
Comment removed.- 1— jeff gross
- I think Moyer is pitching tonight against Redding, not Kendrick.— en37
- September 7th game at the Mets changed to an 8pm start to accomodate ESPN. If the rotations hold, it will feature Kendrick vs. Pedro— CyHamels
- My bad - Kendrick is tomorrow
- en37: I think you have your leagues wrong. Last time I checked Reading was our AA team, not a team we played against— jeff gross
- my bad, I understnd the comment now. YOu are right en37 and I screwed up— jeff gross
