Anthony Recker

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.\n', ' 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.\n', ' 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.\n', '