Todd Pratt is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on February 9, 1967, in Bellevue, Nebraska, and attended high school in Alabama. Pratt was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 14th round of the 1985 MLB draft but did not sign with the team. Instead, he attended college at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and was later drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 6th round of the 1985 draft.
Pratt made his MLB debut with the Phillies in 1992 and played for the team until 1997. During his time with the Phillies, he was primarily a backup catcher but also played some first base and outfield. Pratt was known for his strong arm and defensive skills behind the plate, and he was a fan favorite in Philadelphia.
In 1998, Pratt was traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he played for one season before being traded to the New York Mets. It was with the Mets that Pratt had the most memorable moment of his career. In the 1999 National League Division Series, Pratt hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 4 to send the Mets to the NL Championship Series. The home run is still remembered as one of the most dramatic moments in Mets history.
Pratt played for the Mets until 2001, when he was traded to the Atlanta Braves. He played for the Braves for one season before being traded back to the Phillies, where he played for two more seasons. Pratt finished his career with the Mets in 2006, playing in just 11 games before retiring.
Overall, Pratt played in 570 games over 14 seasons in the majors. He had a career batting average of .251 with 49 home runs and 216 RBI. While he was never a full-time starter, Pratt was a valuable backup catcher and a reliable defensive player throughout his career. He was also known for his leadership and clubhouse presence, and he was respected by teammates and opponents alike.
After retiring from baseball, Pratt worked as a coach and instructor in the minor leagues. He also worked as a broadcaster for the Mets and as a studio analyst for MLB Network. In 2019, Pratt was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his baseball career.
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