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Anthony Recker

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Anthony Recker
Recker with theNew York Mets in 2015
Catcher/First baseman
Born:(1983-08-29)August 29, 1983(age 41)
Catasauqua, Pennsylvania,U.S.
Batted:Right
Threw:Right
MLB debut
August 25, 2011, for the Oakland Athletics
Last MLB appearance
April 19, 2017, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
Batting average.199
Home runs18
Runs batted in70
Teams

Anthony Vito Recker(born August 29, 1983) is an American broadcaster and formerprofessional baseballcatcherandfirst baseman.He previously played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for theOakland Athletics,Chicago Cubs,New York Mets,andAtlanta Braves.[1]

Baseball career

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Amateur career

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Born inAllentown, Pennsylvania,Recker was raised by mother Alicia and stepfather Kip.[2]He attendedCatasauqua High School,where he also playedfootballandbasketball,and later continued his baseball career atAlvernia College,a small NCAA Division III school inReading, Pennsylvania.[3][4]One of Recker's college teammates wasZach Lutz,and the pair were coached by Lutz's father.[5]While playing for the Crusaders, Recker spent some time on the mound, where he occasionally threw a knuckleball.[6][7]Despite growing up in Pennsylvania, Recker's favorite team was theOakland Athletics.[8]

Oakland Athletics

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Recker was drafted by theOakland Athleticsin the 18th round of the2005 Major League Baseball Draftout ofAlvernia College.He began catching and, on occasion, playingfirst baseprofessionally.

On August 23, 2011, he was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[9]He was named to the Triple-A All-PCLTeam in 2011, a season in which he powered 16 home runs for theSacramento River Cats.[10]He made the Athletics' 2012 Opening Day roster, but was optioned to the minor leagues in May.[11]

Chicago Cubs

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Recker playing for theOakland Athletics in 2012spring training

Recker was traded to theChicago CubsforBlake Lallion August 27, 2012.[12]He appeared in 9 games, in the last few weeks of that season.[1]

New York Mets

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On October 24, 2012, Recker was designated for assignment.[13]He was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets the next day.[14]

Recker made the Mets' 2013 Opening Day roster as a backup catcher.[15]Although Recker is a position player, he pitched the ninth inning for the New York Mets to preserve their regular pitchers in a lopsided game on June 30, 2013, where the Mets were defeated by theWashington Nationalsby a score of 13–2. The last position player to pitch for the Mets before Recker did so was catcherRob Johnsonon May 18, 2012.[16]He was optioned to the Triple-ALas Vegas 51son August 19.[17]He was recalled on August 28, as a backup toTravis d'Arnaud,due to the trade that sent catcherJohn Buckand outfielderMarlon Byrdto thePittsburgh Pirates.

Recker made the Opening Day roster in 2014 as a backup catcher to d'Arnaud.[18]On April 12, Recker hit a solo home run in the top of the 13th offMatt Shoemakerto break the 6–6 tie between the Mets and Angels and win the game for the Mets 7–6.

After an early-season injury to d'Arnaud in 2015, the Mets kept Recker as a backup catcher, and promoted prospectKevin Plaweckito serve as the starter.[19] On April 14, Recker played 3B in an emergency role. On May 14, Recker had his first career multi-homer game against theChicago Cubs,a game that the Mets went on to lose.[20]On November 6, Recker was outrighted off the 40-man roster, making him a free agent.[21]Recker hit.125 with two home runs, five RBIs in 80 at-bats in 32 games in 2015. From 2013 to 2015 as a Met, Recker hit 15 home runs in 140 games. However, Recker did manage to hit 8 home runs in just 108 plate appearances while playing for the Las Vegas 51s. Recker was known for his propensity to hit home runs late in games or in key situations.

Cleveland Indians

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On November 27, 2015, Recker signed a minor league contract with theCleveland Indians,including an invitation to spring training.[22]He appeared in 19 games for the AAAColumbus Clippers,early in the 2016 season.

Atlanta Braves

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Recker was traded to theAtlanta Braveson May 9, 2016, for cash considerations, and assigned to the Triple-AGwinnett Braves.[23]The Braves promoted Recker to the major leagues after an injury toTyler Flowersthat July.[24]

On December 2, 2016, Recker and the Braves avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to an $800,000 contract for the 2017 season.[25]He was initially optioned to Gwinnett at the end of spring training, but eventually was selected as one of the last two players to make the Braves’ 2017 Opening Day roster, alongsideChaz Roe.[26][27]He had his contract purchased on July 21, 2017.[28]

Minnesota Twins

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On July 24, 2017, the Braves traded Recker,Jaime García,and cash considerations to theMinnesota Twinsfor prospectHuascar Ynoa.[29]The Twins subsequently outrighted Recker to the minor leagues on July 28, 2017. He appeared in 19 games for the AAARochester Red Wings,that year. He elected free agency on October 10, 2017.

Arizona Diamondbacks

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On March 5, 2018, Recker signed a minor-league contract with theArizona Diamondbacks,which included an invitation to spring training.[30]He spent the season with the Triple–AReno Aces,catching in 66 of the 74 games in which he appeared and hitting.276/.358/.537 with 15 home runs and 50 RBI. Recker elected free agency following the season on November 2.[31]

Personal life

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Recker married Kelly Shepardson on November 2, 2013.[32]His wife Kelly gave birth to their first child, Camden Anthony Recker, on December 29, 2014.[33]They also have a younger son, Grady.[34]He recently became an analyst on the Mets' networkSNYand has filled in forKeith HernandezandRon Darlingin the booth withGary Cohen."In early 2019, I decided [playing baseball] wasn’t the right thing for me to do anymore," he toldThe Morning Callin April 2020. "As soon as I made that decision, I quickly turned my gaze toward theTVworld. It was something I liked doing and I already had a little bit of experience "from working theDavid Wrightfinale in September 2018.[34]

References

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  1. ^ab"Anthony Recker Stats".baseball-reference.com.Sports Reference LLC. 2019.RetrievedMarch 10,2019.
  2. ^Schuler, Jeff (May 10, 2012)."Catty's Anthony Recker has blossomed into major league catcher".Morning Call.RetrievedMay 11,2016.
  3. ^Dhillon, Jagdip (June 16, 2007)."With coaching, Ports catcher is developing his talent".The Record.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  4. ^Joyce, Greg (September 10, 2014)."Catasauqua's Anthony Recker enjoying full season with New York Mets".The Express Times.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  5. ^Vorkunov, Mike (February 25, 2014)."Mets Zach Lutz and Anthony Recker go from Division 3 college teammates to big leagues".NJ.com.RetrievedMay 11,2016.
  6. ^Carig, Marc (June 30, 2013)."Catcher Anthony Recker pitches in blowout loss".Newsday.RetrievedMay 15,2016.
  7. ^Hutchinson, Dave (June 30, 2013)."Mets catcher Anthony Recker gets chance to pitch in blowout loss".NJ.com.RetrievedMay 15,2016.
  8. ^Schuler, Jeff (August 23, 2011)."Catty's Recker getting his major league chance with Oakland".The Morning Call.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  9. ^"A's Select C Anthony Recker from Sacramento".MLB.com.August 23, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon December 8, 2015.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  10. ^"2011 All-PCL Team Announced".August 29, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon March 31, 2012.RetrievedAugust 30,2011.
  11. ^Schuler, Jeff (January 3, 2013)."Catasauqua's Anthony Recker ready for fresh start with New York Mets".The Morning Call.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  12. ^"Cubs get Anthony Recker from A's for Blake Lalli".The Morning Call.Associated Press. August 27, 2012.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  13. ^Kruth, Cash (October 24, 2012)."Cubs claim Gutierrez off waivers, designate Recker".MLB.com.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  14. ^"New York Mets claim Catasauqua graduate Anthony Recker off waivers".Express Times.October 25, 2012.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  15. ^Housenick, Mandy (April 13, 2013)."Catty's Recker eager to prove he belongs".The Morning Call.RetrievedMay 15,2016.
  16. ^Iseman, Chris (June 30, 2013)."Mets backup catcher Recker pitches in".MLB.com.RetrievedMay 15,2016.
  17. ^Erickson, Kelly (August 19, 2013)."Mets keeping d'Arnaud; Recker optioned".MLB.com.RetrievedMay 14,2016.
  18. ^DiComo, Anthony (March 30, 2014)."Mets finalize 25-man roster for Opening Day".MLB.com.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  19. ^"Catasauqua grad Anthony Recker to remain in backup role for Mets despite injury to Travis d'Arnaud".The Morning Call.Associated Press. April 21, 2015.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  20. ^"Recker hits 2 HRs, but passed ball sinks Mets".mlb.com.RetrievedMay 15,2015.
  21. ^"Anthony Recker, Wilfredo Tovar removed from 40-man roster, become free agents".November 6, 2015.
  22. ^McCarron, Anthony (November 27, 2015)."Ex-Mets catcher Anthony Recker inks minor-league deal with Cleveland Indians".New York Daily News.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  23. ^Kruth, Cash (May 9, 2016)."Braves acquire catcher Recker from Indians".MLB.com.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  24. ^Bowman, Mark."Braves seeking solution to catching duties".MLB.com.RetrievedJuly 18,2016.
  25. ^Bowman, Mark (December 2, 2016)."Braves agree to deals with Recker, Rodriguez".MLB.com.RetrievedDecember 3,2016.
  26. ^Bowman, Mark (April 3, 2017)."Recker pleasantly surprised to make roster".MLB.com.RetrievedApril 3,2017.
  27. ^Bowman, Mark (April 2, 2017)."Roe, Recker on Braves' Opening Day roster".MLB.com.RetrievedApril 3,2017.
  28. ^"Transactions".
  29. ^"Twins trade for Atlanta starting pitcher Jaime Garcia".Star Tribune.
  30. ^"Minor MLB Transactions: 3/5/18".
  31. ^"Minor League Free Agents 2018".baseballamerica.com.RetrievedApril 30,2024.
  32. ^Keh, Andrew (February 18, 2013)."There Are Rings in Mets' Future".New York Times.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  33. ^Ivice, Paul (February 11, 2015)."First-time dad and Mets No. 2 catcher Anthony Recker looks for ways to improve".Newsday.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  34. ^abShoemaker, Tim."Former MLB player Anthony Recker of Catasauqua trying to catch on in broadcasting".mcall.com.RetrievedJuly 10,2021.
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