Todd Pratt

From SoSH

Todd Alan Pratt (born February 9, 1967 in Bellevue, Nebraska) has served as a back-up catcher for most of his career.

Contents 1 Overall Career 2 Pratt's Moments in the Sun 3 Trivia 4 Transactions 5 External Links

Overall Career

The Boston Red Sox drafted Pratt in the 6th round of the 1985 Amateur Draft. In 1987, the Cleveland Indians drafted Pratt from the Red Sox in the Rule 5 draft, but he would eventually be returned to the Red Sox. After spending time in the Baltimore Orioles organization, Pratt made his big league debut in 1992, as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. He played with Philadelphia through the 1994 season, before signing with the Chicago Cubs for 1995. After sitting out 1996, he would sign with the New York Mets before the start of 1997.

The biggest moment of Pratt's career came when he was with the Mets. In Game 4 of the 1999 NLDS, he hit a tenth-inning walk-off home run off of Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Matt Mantei, giving the Mets the series, 3 games to 1. The Mets traded Pratt back to the Phillies in July of 2001 for fellow catcher Gary Bennett. He stayed with the Phillies as Mike Lieberthal's back-up through the 2005 season.

After one season with the Atlanta Braves in 2006, Pratt signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees on January 13, 2007. The Yankees released Pratt on March 30.

Pratt's Moments in the Sun

• During 1999's NLCS, Pratt (who was supposed to be running the bases) was the first Met to embrace teammate Robin Ventura after Ventura hit a grand-slam to win Game 5 for New York. Since Ventura only touched first base, he was officially credited with a "grand-slam single."
• On June 21, 2003, Pratt hit a walkoff two-run home run (courtesy of Rudy Seanez) in the bottom of the 13th inning as the Philies defeated the Red Sox 6-5[1].

Trivia

• Worked as an instructor at the Bucky Dent School of Baseball in Delray Beach, FL during the 1996 season.
• As of 2006, Pratt is one of only at players to have hit a walk-off home run to end a postseason series.
• Tied a World Series record when he is twice hit by pitches in the 2000 Series.

Transactions

• June 3, 1985: Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 6th round of the 1985 amateur draft. Player signed June 10, 1985.
• December 8, 1987: Drafted by the Cleveland Indians from the Boston Red Sox in the 1987 minor league draft.
• March 28, 1988: Returned (earlier draft pick) by the Cleveland Indians to the Boston Red Sox.
• October 15, 1991: Granted Free Agency.
• November 13, 1991: Signed as a Free Agent with the Baltimore Orioles.
• December 9, 1991: Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies from the Baltimore Orioles in the 1991 rule 5 draft.
• December 23, 1994: Granted Free Agency.
• April 8, 1995: Signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs.
• October 16, 1995: Granted Free Agency.
• January 25, 1996: Signed as a Free Agent with the Seattle Mariners.
• March 27, 1996: Released by the Seattle Mariners.
• December 23, 1996: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Mets.
• July 23, 2001: Traded by the New York Mets to the Philadelphia Phillies for Gary Bennett.
• November 5, 2001: Granted Free Agency.
• December 15, 2001: Signed as a Free Agent with the Philadelphia Phillies.
• October 29, 2002: Granted Free Agency.
• January 8, 2003: Signed as a Free Agent with the Philadelphia Phillies.
• October 27, 2003: Granted Free Agency.
• December 7, 2003: Signed as a Free Agent with the Philadelphia Phillies.
• October 28, 2004: Granted Free Agency.
• December 7, 2004: Signed as a Free Agent with the Philadelphia Phillies.
• November 1, 2005: Granted Free Agency.
• December 13, 2005: Signed as a Free Agent with the Atlanta Braves.
• January 12, 2007: Signed as a Free Agent by the New York Yankees to a minor league contract.
• March 30, 2007: Released by the New York Yankees.

External Links

• Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis