The Dave Racaniello Love List

Yes, we are going to ignore the whole Omar/Bernazard/Rubin mess. What is there left to say? The Mets blogosphere, an unusually lucid and literate bunch, has done the disaster justice. Instead we give you the long awaited, eagerly anticipated story of our favorite bullpen catcher/David Wright BFF/Nissan-driving "Turtle".




He's literate. Read Jon Krakauer's "Into Thin Air"

Is exceptionally kind to children seeking souvenirs

In a player's parking lot full of Escalades and Benzes, his Nissan Maxima is always parked next to DW's Audi.

Won the Junior College World Championship

Had back surgery in 2006 to repair a herniated disk

Was the barber in the Mets' 2007 hair-shaving debacle.

Is referred to by DW intimates as "Turtle" or "Moocher", and lived with DW until this past winter.

He is the Mets' "jack of all trades" and a master at being invisible. Also serves as the target for much testerone-fueled teasing and practical jokes.

Works on a yearly contractual basis. Gets paid per game, plus pitcher's tips.

So kudos to Dave Rac, for having the envious job of catching some of the game's greatest pitchers (without the monetary rewards, alas). You're a "Vince" to us!