Anthony Recker

Anthony Vito Recker

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 240 lb.
• School Alvernia University
• High School Catasauqua High School
• Debut August 25, 2011
• Final Game April 19, 2017
• Born August 29, 1983 in Allentown, PA USA

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Biographical Information

Catcher Anthony Recker was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 18th round of the 2005 amateur draft. He was signed by scout Jeff Bittiger and made his pro debut that summer.

Recker made his major league debut in a very memorable game. Playing for the Oakland Athletics at New Yankee Stadium on August 25, 2011, he went 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts and a walk. The memorable part was what New York Yankees hitters did that day: they had 21 hits, drew 13 walks and scored 22 runs - the most allowed by the Athletics since 1955; they also hit five home runs, three of which were grand slams, a feat unprecedented in major league baseball history. Recker was behind the plate for the whole ghastly performance. Ironically, the last time the A's gave up that many runs, another catcher was making his major league debut for them: Eric MacKenzie, who played his only major league game in that April 23rd game.

Ironically, Recker made his major league debut after contemplating retirement the previous off-season, as his career had seemingly stalled in the high minors. In the end he made a promise to a friend that he would team up with him to attempt to join the FBI together if things did not work out for him that season. He did spend most of 2011 with the Sacramento RiverCats of the Pacific Coast League - his third straight season with the AAA team - and hit .287 with 16 homers and 48 RBI, good for a .501 slugging percentage. With the A's, he played 5 games, going 3 for 17 with a double and 4 walks. He got some good news at the beginning of 2012 when Oakland released Landon Powell at the start of spring training, leaving Anthony with the inside track for the team's back-up catcher job. He did make the team, but only managed 4 hits in 31 at-bats over 13 games, for a paltry .129 average, and was returned to Sacramento at the end of May.

On July 24, 2017, he was traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Minnesota Twins alongside P Jaime Garcia in return for pitching prospect Huascar Ynoa.

Related Sites

• Anthony Recker on mlb.com