Jon Rauch

Infobox MLB player

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width = 200
caption = Rauch with the Nationals in 2008.
name=Jon Rauch
position=Relief pitcher
team=Arizona Diamondbacks
number=57
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1978|9|27
city-state|Louisville|Kentucky
debutdate=April 2
debutyear=2002
debutteam=Chicago White Sox
statyear=July 21, 2008
stat1label=Win-Loss
stat1value=24-17
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=3.63
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=265
stat4label=Saves
stat4value=23
teams=
*Chicago White Sox (by|2002, by|2004)
*Montréal Expos (by|2004)
*Washington Nationals (by|2005-by|2008)
*Arizona Diamondbacks (by|2008-present):"For the gay freelance writer, activist, and National Journal columnist, see Jonathan Rauch.":"For the American football player and coach, see John Rauch."

Jon Erich Rauch (born September 27, 1978 in Louisville, Kentucky) is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball with the Arizona Diamondbacks and is an Olympic Gold Medalist. At 6'11" (2.11 m), he is the tallest player in the history of the major leagues. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/07/AR2007030702385.html washingtonpost.com] ]

Early years

He attended and graduated from Oldham County High School.

College career

Rauch played baseball in college at Morehead State University where he was double majoring in physics and business. He was also a member of the social fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Professional career

Chicago White Sox

He was drafted in the third round of the 1999 amateur draft by the Chicago White Sox. He debuted with the White Sox on April 2, by|2002.

In 2002, Rauch's first stint in the big leagues resulted in a 6.59 ERA in eight games and six starts. He would not play in the majors in by|2003, then returned to the majors in by|2004 after a strong Triple-A campaign. However, against major league batters he again posted a high ERA of 6.23. In July 2004, Rauch was traded to the Montréal Expos along with Triple-A reliever Gary Majewski for Carl Everett.

Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals

On August 13, 2004, Rauch hit a home run against the Houston Astros off Roger Clemens, making him the tallest man ever to hit a home run in Major League Baseball. Despite a strong finish to the season in Montréal, Rauch was sent to the minors when the Expos moved to Washington. After putting up better numbers in the minors, Rauch finished the by|2005 season with the Nationals, used mostly as a reliever, and going 2-4 with a 3.60 ERA.

In by|2006, Rauch had his best season, posted a 4-5 record, a 3.35 ERA, and appearing in 85 games, second most in the NL. He was Washington's most reliable reliever on a team that finished last in the NL in ERA. He finished highest in the bullpen in games, innings pitched, strikeouts, and batters faced. He finished second only to closer Chad Cordero in saves, ERA, and ERA+.

In by|2007, Rauch led the Major Leagues in appearances with 88. He finished the year with a 8-4 record, four saves, and a 3.61 ERA. His eight victories led the team in wins, a rarity in baseball.

On February 2, by|2008, Rauch signed a two-year contract with the Nationals, worth a total of $3.2 million. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3227346 ESPN - Rauch avoids arbitration, agrees to 2-year deal with Nationals - MLB ] ] Before being traded, Rauch spent most of the year as the closer in place of injured Chad Cordero.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On July 22, 2008, Rauch was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for second base prospect Emilio Bonifacio. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3500802 D-backs acquire right-hander Rauch from Nats for Bonifacio] ] Jon Rauch won't sign autographs during batting practice.

References

External links

*baseball-reference|id=r/rauchjo01
* [http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player.jsp?player_id=400010 Bio from Washington's Website]
* [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/02/27/VI2007022700420.html 2007 spring training highlight video from "The Washington Post"]
*Haber, Brett. " [http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/8781.html What I've Learned: Jon Rauch] ", "Washingtonian", August 1, 2008.