Anthony Vito Recker (born August 29, 1983) is an American former professional baseball catcher and first baseman. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, and Atlanta Braves. Baseball career Amateur career Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Recker was raised by mother Alicia and stepfather Kip. He attended Catasauqua High School, where he also played football and basketball, and later continued his baseball career at Alvernia College, a small NCAA Division III school in Reading, Pennsylvania. One of Recker's college teammates was Zach Lutz, and the pair were coached by Lutz's father. While playing for the Crusaders, Recker spent some time on the mound, where he occasionally threw a knuckleball. Despite growing up in Pennsylvania, Recker's favorite team was the Oakland Athletics. Oakland Athletics Recker was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 18th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft out of Alvernia College. He began catching and, on occasion, playing first base professionally. On August 23, 2011, he was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He was named to the Triple-A All-PCL Team in 2011, a season in which he powered 16 home runs for the Sacramento River Cats. He made the Athletics' 2012 Opening Day roster, but was optioned to the minor leagues in May. Chicago Cubs Recker was traded to the Cubs for Blake Lalli on August 27, 2012. He appeared in 9 games, in the last few weeks of that season. New York Mets On October 24, 2012, Recker was designated for assignment. He was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets the next day. Recker made the Mets' 2013 Opening Day roster as a backup catcher. 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 the Washington Nationals by a score of 13-2. The last position player to pitch for the Mets before Recker did so was catcher Rob Johnson on May 18, 2012. He was optioned to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s on August 19. He was recalled on August 28, as a backup to Travis d'Arnaud, due to the trade that sent catcher John Buck and outfielder Marlon Byrd to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Recker made the Opening Day roster in 2014 as a