Back to the Top News Newsfeed

On Baseball: A Mets Newcomer Must Squat in the Fire

The first time John Flaherty crouched behind the plate in a major league game, the home plate umpire, Rich Garcia, asked how he was feeling.

“I’m terrified,” Flaherty said.

“Listen, kid,” Garcia replied, resting a hand on Flaherty’s shoulder. “We’ll get through it together.”

Chances are that the Mets’ new catcher, Kevin Plawecki, will feel the same kind of nervous energy when he makes his debut this week at Citi Field. Every major leaguer knows the rush of emotions that comes from realizing a dream, but catchers who have reached that level have the added responsibility of running a major league game — without ever having played one.