Chris Reitsma

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**Chris Reitsma**
Major League Baseball debut
Seattle Mariners — No. 37
Setup pitcher
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
April 4, 2001 for the Cincinnati Reds
Selected MLB statistics (through 2006 season)
Saves	37
Earned run average	4.58
Strikeouts	348
Former teams
Cincinnati Reds (2001–2003) Atlanta Braves (2004–2006) Seattle Mariners (2007-present)

Christopher Michael ("Chris") Reitsma (born December 31, 1977 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada) is a right-handed relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. He made his Major League debut on April 1, 2001, with the Cincinnati Reds.

1 Career
2 Pitches
3 Personal life
4 External links

[edit] Career

Chris Reitsma, drafted in the first round of the 1996 amateur draft by the Boston Red Sox (34th overall), made his major league debut in 2001 for the Cincinnati Reds. After spending three seasons with the Reds as both a starter and reliever, the Atlanta Braves traded for him on March 26, 2004 to bolster their bullpen.

Reitsma was used as a setup man for Atlanta's closer John Smoltz in 2004. He appeared in 84 games and did a servicable job, but he was shelled in Game 5 of the 2004 National League Division Series against the Houston Astros, allowing the game to be broken open, and essentially ending the Braves' season.

In 2005, with newly-acquired closer Danny Kolb getting off to a rough start, the Braves elected to use Reitsma as the closer rather than returning John Smoltz to that role. Reitsma did relatively well, earning 15 saves, but on the last day of non-waiver trades, the Braves traded for relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth from the Detroit Tigers. Farnsworth soon replaced Reitsma as the closer, sending Reitsma back to being a setup man.

With the Braves unable to retain Farnsworth, who signed with the New York Yankees following the 2005 season, the team feverishly searched to fill the closer's role through free agency or a trade. However, they were not able to find anyone to fill the hole left by Farnsworth's departure, and because of this, Reitsma had numerous chances to be the Braves' closer in 2006. However, he proved to be ineffective in the job throughout his abbreviated season.

On July 3, 2006, Reitsma was placed on the disabled list with ulnar neuritis in his right arm. He spent the rest of the season on the disabled list. Bob Wickman was brought in to replace Reitsma near the trade deadline, and after performing well, Wickman was signed to a contract in the offseason by the Braves.

Reitsma was non-tendered by the Braves on December 12, 2006. The Seattle Mariners signed him to a one-year deal with a club option for 2008 on January 5, 2007, to be their setup man for imcumbent closer J.J. Putz.

[edit] Pitches

Reitsma features three pitches. He has a sinking fastball that sometimes will induce groundballs, as well a changeup. He also possesses a big, looping curveball that he doesn't throw as much as his fastball and changeup. Braves coaches attempted to get Reitsma to focus on only two pitches in an attempt to simplify his delivery.

[edit] Personal life

He is married to his wife, Janelle, and has two daughters, Kylie and Emily. He graduated from Calgary Christian High School in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with three varsity letters in basketball. He is also a dual citizen of both Canada and the United States - Reitsma pitched for Canada in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

Reitsma also performs generous charity work in the off season with the mentally and physically handicapped. He is a born-again Christian.

He is the founder of Reitsma's Relievers, whose mission is to benefit at-risk children, youth and their families by providing assistance, programs and events designed to build self-esteem, provide unique life changing opportunities and help them to set and achieve their life goals.