Anthony Tagliaferro, a catcher for the baseball team at Monroe Township High School, has been a key to the Falcons’ success with his hitting and strong defensive play. ROY DEBOER Monroe Township High School baseball coach Pat Geroni considers his starting catcher, Anthony Tagliaferro, to be the heart and soul of his team.
Considering the entire Falcons roster is made up of players who leave their hearts and souls on the field every game, that’s high praise indeed.
“We’re fortunate to have an outstanding pitching staff, including Robbie Peto and Eric Heatter (committed to the University of North Carolina and Rutgers University, respectively),” Geroni said. “But if you ask [them], they feel the same way about [Tagliaferro]. He is, without doubt one of the top backstops in the [Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC)] and has a great future ahead of him.”
That distinction comes after the rising senior posted great statistics and displayed extraordinary defensive skills behind the plate in each of his three seasons as the starting catcher. As a sophomore, Tagliaferro batted .381 and duplicated that last spring in addition to registering 25 hits, five doubles, two homers, 16 walks and 22 runs batted in.
What might be more impressive is his work ethic and dedication that helped transform a solid pitching staff into a truly dominant one.
“Our pitchers are very talented, yes, but what most don’t know are the countless hours they spend working on their craft,” Tagliaferro said. “I can’t do anything less than make the same commitment. I’m always willing to be available whenever they need a bullpen session or long toss.
“I make it a point to win every pitch for my pitchers. Honestly, we make each other better, and that’s a key reason for our success.”
Monroe is always one of the top GMC teams, but last spring represented the first time the Falcons (17-8) captured the conference tournament title — a thrilling, extra-inning victory against Sayreville War Memorial High School, 1- 0, at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater.
Tagliaferro said he is fortunate to have been raised by parents who keep him grounded by encouraging him to stay focused on what is most important, such as hard work and displaying leadership. Academics are another demonstrated strength, as evidenced by Tagliaferro’s induction into the National Honor Society last year and his 4.5 grade-point average.
“I put in a lot of hours at the library, extra hours after school and late at night” he said. “I have been fortunate to have had excellent teachers, and I’ve tried to emulate them. I also have found the more I teach and tutor others, the more I learn about myself.”
Because he has proved to excel on the diamond, Tagliaferro has garnered interest from many colleges. He doesn’t name a favorite but says his primary focus is to receive the best education and is exploring several opportunities where he can also play baseball.
“As an undergraduate, I plan to major in political science and then a degree in law,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to become a practicing attorney.”
Next spring will be Tagliaferro’s last playing high school baseball, and he hopes to capitalize on the wealth of experience he has gained. It began when he was a youngster playing for the Monroe Dirty Birds recreation travel team that went to the Cal Ripkin World Series 10U championships and 13U Babe Ruth World Series. His coaches — Mike Peto, Lou Granda and James Heatter — taught him to love the game and, more important, he said, love the grind.
His older brother, Christopher, is another important individual who has made a positive imprint on his life.
“I try to model myself after him,” Anthony Tagliaferro said. “He is always doing the right thing, and I admire that.”
In the offseason, Tagliaferro plays for Baseball U, which travels throughout the east and plays premium games in front of college coaches. Tagliaferro believed the highlight of his career is yet to come. “As a four-year varsity captain, I have encountered hardships from personal slumps and team struggles,” he said. “What I take away from the great players before me, our coaches (Geroni and assistant Shawn McCorkle) and, most important, my parents, is that when I encounter a brick wall and success is on the other side, the only option is to run straight through it and not be afraid of the struggle that might take.”
Tagliaferro is more than ready to crash through the next obstacle and move on to the rest of life.