Anthony Recker was acquired last winter to offer the Mets some catching depth. After Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas were both shipped off to Toronto in the R.A. Dickey trade, Recker looked like he’d be the backup catcher for the Mets for a month or two until Travis d’Arnaud was ready to come up to the major leagues.
As things turned out, Recker stuck in the major leagues for most of the season, but he only played in 50 games. And less than two months after Game #162, I’m already having trouble remembering anything specific Recker did at the plate or behind it.
Instead, I remember Recker is a Harry Potter fan:
And I remember the day Recker pitched.
June 30 was Zack Wheeler’s first start at Citi Field and David Wright bobblehead day, so I was excited to be at the ballpark. So were most of the other 33,366 fans who bought tickets to the game.
That feeling didn’t last too long. After striking out two in a 1-2-3 first inning, Wheeler gave up four runs in the second. He settled down a bit, but couldn’t escape the fifth inning. The Mets bullpen kept things close, but the Mets offense did nothing against Gio Gonzalez.
When Brandon Lyon gave up six runs in the eighth inning to give Washington an 11-0 lead heading to the ninth, it was the perfect opportunity to let a position player pitch. Recker answered the call and retired the side, but not before giving up a two-run homer to Ian Desmond.
Lee Harmon created a custom baseball card to commemorate Recker’s moment of glory on the pitcher’s mound using one of the photos I had taken, and he sent me a copy that he got Recker to sign when the Mets visited Cincinnati in September. Since Recker has yet to appear on an official baseball card as a Met, this is the first one in my collection. Thanks Lee!
PaulHadsall.com 
Sweet card!
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I liked Recker a lot when he was a Sacramento Rivercat…he’s a good guy. My only problem was with his bat. I guess the future will tell.
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