| Jon Rauch | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Rauch with the Washington Nationals in 2006 | |||||||||||||||
| Pitcher | |||||||||||||||
| Born: (1978-09-27)September 27, 1978 (age 47) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |||||||||||||||
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |||||||||||||||
| MLB debut | |||||||||||||||
| April 2, 2002, for the Chicago White Sox | |||||||||||||||
| Last MLB appearance | |||||||||||||||
| May 17, 2013, for the Miami Marlins | |||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics | |||||||||||||||
| Win–loss record | 43–40 | ||||||||||||||
| Earned run average | 3.90 | ||||||||||||||
| Strikeouts | 475 | ||||||||||||||
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |||||||||||||||
| Teams | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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Jon Erich Rauch (born September 27, 1978) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. At 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m), he is tied withSean Hjelle as the tallest player inMajor League Baseball (MLB) history. He is also anOlympicGold Medalist in baseball.
Rauch attended and graduated fromOldham County High School. He grew up inWestport, Kentucky. Rauch playedcollege baseball atMorehead State University, where he double majored in physics and business. He was also a member of the socialfraternitySigma Phi Epsilon, Kentucky Zeta chapter.
Rauch, weighing 290 pounds (130 kg), was drafted in the third round of the1999 amateur draft by theChicago White Sox. He debuted with the White Sox on April 2,2002.
In 2002, Rauch's first stint in the big leagues resulted in a 6.59ERA in eight games and sixstarts. He did not play in the majors in2003, then returned to the majors in2004 after a strongTriple-A campaign. However, against major league batters he again posted a high ERA of 6.23. In July 2004, Rauch was traded to theMontreal Expos along withTriple-A relieverGary Majewski forCarl Everett.
On August 13, 2004, Rauch hit ahome run against theHouston Astros offRoger Clemens, making him the tallest man ever to hit a home run in Major League Baseball. Despite a strong finish to the season in Montreal, Rauch was sent to the minors when the Expos moved toWashington. After putting up better numbers in the minors, Rauch finished the2005 season with the Nationals, used mostly as a reliever, and going 2–4 with a 3.60 ERA.
In2006, Rauch had his best season, posted a 4–5 record, a 3.35 ERA, and appearing in 85 games, second most in the NL.
In2007, Rauch led the Major Leagues in appearances with 88. He finished the year with an 8–4 record, four saves, and a 3.61 ERA. His eight victories led the team in wins, a rarity in baseball for a relief pitcher.
On February 2,2008, Rauch signed a two-year contract with the Nationals, worth a total of $3.2 million.[1] Before being traded, Rauch spent most of the year as thecloser in place of injuredChad Cordero.[2]
Rauch was the winning pitcher in the first game in the history ofNationals Park.
On July 22, 2008, Rauch was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks forsecond base prospectEmilio Bonifacio.[3]
On August 28, 2009, Rauch was traded to the Minnesota Twins for RHPKevin Mulvey.[4] He appeared in 17 games for the Twins before the end of the season, posting a 5–1 record with a 1.72 ERA.[5]
On April 2, 2010, Twins managerRon Gardenhire named Rauch the team's closer, replacing the injuredJoe Nathan.[6]On April 6, 2010, Rauch earned his first save as a Twin with a perfect ninth with two strikeouts versus theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim in a 5–3 win. Rauch served as the team's closer through August, when the Twins acquiredMatt Capps. During his time as closer, he saved 21 games in 25 opportunities.
After the Twins acquired Capps, Rauch returned to his previous role as a set-up man and long reliever. He became a free agent following the season.
On January 17, 2011, the Blue Jays signed Rauch to a one-year deal worth $3.5M that included a club option for $3.75M in 2012.[7]
Blue Jays managerJohn Farrell suffered a dislocated jaw while attempting to restrain Rauch from going after umpireAlfonso Marquez during a game on July 2, 2011.[8] Both Rauch and Farrell were ejected from the game.[9]
After pitching in a game against theSeattle Mariners on August 15, 2011, Rauch was taken to a Seattle hospital for an emergency appendectomy. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on August 16, 2011. At the time of injury, Rauch led the Blue Jays in appearances (with 51), posting a 5–4 record with a 4.47 earned run average and 11 saves.[10]
On December 6, 2011, Rauch agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with theNew York Mets.[11] On May 1, 2012, Rauch facedHouston Astros second basemanJose Altuve. The 17-inch (432mm) height difference between Rauch and Altuve (5 feet 6 inches) is believed to be the biggest between pitcher and batter with exception of a 1951 publicity stunt in which a 3-foot-7-inch (1.09m) Eddie Gaedel had one at bat for the St. Louis Browns.[citation needed]
On February 5, 2013, Rauch agreed to a one-year deal with theMiami Marlins.[12] Rauch was designated for assignment on May 18.[13] At the time of his designation, Rauch had a 1–2 record with an earned run average of 7.56. He was released on May 22, 2013.[14]
On June 1, 2013, it was announced that the Orioles had signed Rauch to a minor league contract.[15] On July 3, Rauch opted out of his minor league contract. He went 1–0 with a 2.89 ERA in 10 appearances over 9.1 innings, striking out 10.[16]
On January 23, 2014, Rauch signed a minor league contract with theKansas City Royals with an invitation to spring training.[17] He was released on March 26.
Rauch retired following the 2014 season.[citation needed]
Rauch is 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m) tall, and when he played, was the tallest major leaguer in history.[18]Sean Hjelle, who is the same height, debuted in 2022.[19]
Rauch is currently aproject manager for Sun Valley Masonry in the greaterTucson area.[20]
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