PORT ST. LUCIE — This is the kind of athlete the Mets have in new second baseman Neil Walker.
At Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, Pa., just north of Pittsburgh, Walker was a star receiver and had offers from Division I schools to play football. At the end of his senior year, in 2004, he found himself in a prestigious all-star game called the Big 33 Classic.
At the time, the game featured an all-star team from Pennsylvania against a team of Ohio all-stars.
On his team, he also was slated to play cornerback.
The other cornerback was a fellow named Darrelle Revis, out of Aliquippa High School. No Super Bowl ever has been played without a player who once played in the Big 33.
Walker picks up the story from there.
“Ted Ginn Jr. was on the other team,’’ Walker told The Post from his home in Pittsburgh.
“I remember we had a meeting in January, and our whole team is there, and they are going over the plans for the game, and they are saying, ‘All right, Neil and Darrelle, you guys are going to be the starting corners. There is no zone coverage, so Neil, you are going to guard Ted Ginn Jr.’
“I remember thinking to myself, ‘Well, I’ve seen this guy’s name, and he’s like a top-five recruit in the entire country.’’’
Talk about being on an island.
Walker luckily had an escape route.
The game wasn’t played until after the school year ended, and by that time, Walker, who had batted .657 his senior year with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs, was a first-round pick of the Pirates. He never had to try to cover Ginn.
“Needless to say,’’ Walker said with a laugh, “I didn’t play in that game, and I’m pretty happy that I went out on a higher note because I knew it would not have been pretty.”
What advice does he have for the Broncos’ defensive backs in Sunday’s Super Bowl 50 that pits Ginn’s Panthers against Denver?
“Don’t let him beat you deep,” Walker said. “He’s on another level speed-wise.”
In his senior year, Walker’s team played in what still is considered one of the greatest high school championship games of all time, a double-overtime, 39-38 loss to Manheim Central in a snowstorm.
“We lost on a blocked extra point,’’ Walker said. “That was something I will never forget. My fondest [football] memories were left on the field there at Hersheypark Stadium.”
In that game, he also lined up at quarterback, had four rushes for 31 yards, caught two passes for 45 yards, returned a kick 43 yards and led his team with nine tackles. Afterward, his coach, Clair Altemus, told reporters: “That’s what Neil Walker does best. You put the ball in his hands, and he makes magic. We’ll never see another one like that. There will never be another Neil Walker.”
A second baseman with a football mentality is good to have — especially as the Mets try to replace Daniel Murphy’s bat at the position. It’s going to take a lot, but Walker, 30, is ready for the challenge. He came to the Mets in a trade for Jon Niese.
“My style of baseball is kind of similar to Murph’s,’’ Walker said. “I’ve always considered myself as an athlete and a guy who pays attention to the small details. My game is not the prettiest. I consider myself a grinder.’’
Terry Collins said last week he plans to bat Walker fifth.
“That’s a place I really enjoy hitting,’’ the switch-hitting Walker said. “I’m a line-drive hitter from both sides of the plate, and I’ve always been the kind of guy who puts the ball in play. With the guys in front of me, there certainly will be the opportunity to drive some runs in here.’’
As for the opportunity to play behind this young Mets rotation, Walker said: “We have four Gerrit Coles in one rotation. I can’t wait to play behind those guys.’’
Football was once magic, but baseball was the super move.