By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Despite it being nearly a decade since last appearing in a professional baseball game, 2008 World Series champion and "33-year-old rookie" — catcher Chris Coste — has defied the odds once again.
On Saturday, Coste, 45, signed a playing contract with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks of the American Association, according to the league website and Twitter account. Coste also dually serves as the RedHawks' hitting coach since December, as well as the head coach of his alma mater's baseball team since the summer of 2014, the Concordia College Cobbers.
Coste last geared up with the RedHawks 19 years ago — 23-26 years of age in 1996-1999 — before signing professional contracts with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1999 and the Cleveland Indians in 2000 to kick-start his major league journey. The Fargo, North Dakota, native was a three-time All-American while playing for the Cobbers from 1993-1995, and is a member of the Concordia Athletic and Fargo Legion hall of fames.
Coste, considering his busy schedule, was among the few members of the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies who did not appear in the 10-year reunion earlier this month during Alumni Weekend at Citizens Bank Park. In 256 games with the Phillies from 2006-2009, Coste slashed .282/.339/.440 with 42 doubles, 23 home runs and 98 RBI.
