Simply put, Anthony Recker is experiencing both ends of the baseball spectrum this year with the New York Mets.

The former Catasauqua High and Alvernia College standout currently is mired in a slump in his role as a backup catcher behind budding star receiver Travis d'Arnaud.

Yet, this has been a season - his longest tenured stay with a big-league club - filled with a series of highs and lows.

Recker, who had a career-high 36 games in one season with the Mets last season, made his presence felt with his club early during April and May, ironically while d'Arnould struggled.

He had a game-winning, three-run homer against the Angels in early April followed soon after by a pair of two-hit, two-RBI games, and had a career-high, four-hit game against the Diamondbacks in late May.

But Recker began to struggle a bit in late June and July, while d'Arnaud began to feel more comfortable. However, there was also a time when Recker's future with the Mets was in doubt when the club had to decide to keep Recker or hot-hitting Taylor Teagarden, who was called up when d'Arnaud was briefly demoted.

"That's part of this business," noted Recker. "I just have to go out there and do what I can. Sure, it can be a little nerve-racking, but I have learned not to dwell on those things.

"But it definitely has been two seasons for me this year. I have been working to get back on track like I was at the start of the season. I know I can hit and just have to keep working on a few things."

Recker noted how he has been striving to get his swing back as well as his overall timing.

His fortune could be changing soon as he belted a game-winning, three-run homer in the Mets' 5-3 win in Philadelphia Monday afternoon.

"I know that has been getting there," explained Recker. "It seems to feel better every day. My timing seems to be getting back where it should be. I know I have to keep my hands in and that has been getting better. I don't want to be reaching for balls. It is a matter of staying within myself."

Aside from his swing, Recker has been solid behind the plate. He has thrown out 8 of 19 (42 percent) potential base stealers this season. That mark is the fifth best percentage in the National League.

Recker also has enjoyed working with the Mets transitioning pitching staff that includes some young veterans and maturing youngsters.

"I feel pretty good behind the plate, and I don't feel like I have to work on anything specific now," he said. "But I know I always have to keep working. I feel fortunate to catch a staff like this one in which we have some standout pitchers like Jonathan Niese and Bartolo Colon and some good younger pitchers like Zack Wheeler, Dillon Gee, and Doug Harvey. This can be one of the best staffs in baseball."

Growing up, Recker wasn't a Phillies' fan, but he has a passion for the Oakland A's. Much to his delight, it was the A's who drafted him and he also made his Major League debut against the Yankees in 2011.

Despite joining both the Cubs and the Mets, Recker still has a home in California, and he and his wife, Kelly, are expecting their first child in December. He has, though, appreciated the close distance from his roots.

Recker does keep in contact with family, including step-sister Paige Kogelman, who was a recent standout in the Roughies' softball program.

It is a sense of family and a constant drive that will keep him fighting to stay in the game.

'"Paige (Kogelman) and I talk a lot about the game and we can relate our problems to each other," said Recker. "The family still comes out when we are home or in Philadelphia. It's good to have them close.

"As for me, I just have to keep moving forward. It has been fun being in New York and with this club. We'll be successful here and I want to be part of it."