Jon Rauch

{{about|the baseball player|the writer|Jonathan Rauch|other people with similar names|John Rauch (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Jon Rauch

|image=IMG 7727 Jon Rauch.jpg

|width=240px

|caption=Rauch with the Washington Nationals in 2006

|position=Pitcher

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1978|9|27}}

|birth_place=Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|debutleague=MLB

|debutdate=April 2

|debutyear=2002

|debutteam=Chicago White Sox

|finalleague=MLB

|finaldate=May 17

|finalyear=2013

|finalteam=Miami Marlins

|statleague=MLB

|stat1label=Win–loss record

|stat1value=43–40

|stat2label=Earned run average

|stat2value=3.90

|stat3label=Strikeouts

|stat3value=475

|stat4label=Saves

|teams=

Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2002}}, {{mlby|2004}})
Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals ({{mlby|2004}}–{{mlby|2008}})
Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2009}})
Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2009}}–{{mlby|2010}})
Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2011}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2012}})
Miami Marlins ({{mlby|2013}})

|medaltemplates=

{{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}}

}}

Jon Erich Rauch (born September 27, 1978) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. At {{convert|6|ft|11|in|m}}, he is tied with Sean Hjelle as the tallest player in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. He is also an Olympic Gold Medalist in baseball.

Early years

Rauch attended and graduated from Oldham County High School. He grew up in Westport, Kentucky. Rauch played college baseball at Morehead State University, where he double majored in physics and business. He was also a member of the social fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon, Kentucky Zeta chapter.

Professional career

=Chicago White Sox=

Rauch, weighing {{convert|290|lbs}}, 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, {{Baseball year|2002}}.

In 2002, Rauch's first stint in the big leagues resulted in a 6.59 ERA in eight games and six starts. He did not play in the majors in {{Baseball year|2003}}, then returned to the majors in {{Baseball year|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 Montreal, Rauch was sent to the minors when the Expos moved to Washington. After putting up better numbers in the minors, Rauch finished the {{Baseball year|2005}} season with the Nationals, used mostly as a reliever, and going 2–4 with a 3.60 ERA.

In {{Baseball year|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.

In {{Baseball year|2007}}, 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, {{Baseball year|2008}}, Rauch signed a two-year contract with the Nationals, worth a total of $3.2 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3227346 |title=ESPN – Rauch avoids arbitration, agrees to 2-year deal with Nationals – MLB |publisher=ESPN |date=February 2, 2008 |access-date=July 26, 2012}} Before being traded, Rauch spent most of the year as the closer in place of injured Chad Cordero.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080419&content_id=2552301&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Until Cordero's better, Rauch to close |last=Nobles |first=Charlie |date=April 19, 2008|work=MLB.com |access-date=May 4, 2010}}

Rauch was the winning pitcher in the first game in the history of Nationals Park.

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

On July 22, 2008, Rauch was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for second base prospect Emilio Bonifacio.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3500802 |title=D-backs acquire right-hander Rauch from Nats for Bonifacio |publisher=ESPN |date=July 23, 2008 |access-date=July 26, 2012}}

=Minnesota Twins=

On August 28, 2009, Rauch was traded to the Minnesota Twins for RHP Kevin Mulvey.{{cite web |url=http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2009/08/28/twins-add-bullpen-help-with-jon-rauch |title=Twins add bullpen help with Jon Rauch |publisher=Blogs2.startribune.com |date=August 28, 2009 |access-date=July 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503114645/http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2009/08/28/twins-add-bullpen-help-with-jon-rauch/ |archive-date=May 3, 2012 }} He appeared in 17 games for the Twins before the end of the season, posting a 5–1 record with a 1.72 ERA.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rauchjo01.shtml?redir |title=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 26, 2012}}

On April 2, 2010, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire named Rauch the team's closer, replacing the injured Joe Nathan.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/twins/2010-04-02-rauch-closer_N.htm |title=With Nathan out, Twins name Jon Rauch their closer |publisher=Usatoday.com |date=April 2, 2010 |access-date=July 26, 2012}}

On April 6, 2010, Rauch earned his first save as a Twin with a perfect ninth with two strikeouts versus the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in a 5–3 win. Rauch served as the team's closer through August, when the Twins acquired Matt 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.

=Toronto Blue Jays=

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.{{cite web|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110117&content_id=16448922&vkey=news_tor&c_id=tor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119233200/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110117&content_id=16448922&vkey=news_tor&c_id=tor |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 19, 2011 |title=Blue Jays sign reliever Jon Rauch |publisher=Toronto.bluejays.mlb.com |access-date=July 26, 2012}}

Blue Jays manager John Farrell suffered a dislocated jaw while attempting to restrain Rauch from going after umpire Alfonso Marquez during a game on July 2, 2011.{{cite web|last=Calcaterra|first=Craig|title=John Farrell had his jaw knocked out of place by Jon Rauch|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/05/john-farrell-had-his-jaw-knocked-out-of-place-by-jon-rauch/|publisher=Hardballtalk|access-date=April 27, 2012|date=July 5, 2011}} Both Rauch and Farrell were ejected from the game.{{cite web|title=Boxscore: Phillies 5, Blue Jays 3|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2011_07_02_phimlb_tormlb_1|work=MLB.com|access-date=April 27, 2012}}

After pitching in a game against the Seattle 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=373905 |title=Blue Jays' Rauch undergoes appendectomy, placed on DL |publisher=Tsn.ca |date=August 16, 2011 |access-date=July 26, 2012}}

=New York Mets=

File:Jon Rauch on April 5, 2012.jpg

On December 6, 2011, Rauch agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the New York Mets.{{cite news|last=DiComo|first=Anthony|title=Mets revamp 'pen with two signings, SF trade; Amazin's ink Rauch, Francisco, deal Pagan for Torres, Ramirez|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111206&content_id=26112382&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|access-date=December 7, 2011|newspaper=MLB.com|date=December 6, 2011}} On May 1, 2012, Rauch faced Houston Astros second baseman Jose 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|date=January 2022}}

=Miami Marlins=

On February 5, 2013, Rauch agreed to a one-year deal with the Miami Marlins.{{Cite web | url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/02/marlins-sign-jon-rauch.html |title = Marlins Sign Jon Rauch| date=February 5, 2013 }} Rauch was designated for assignment on May 18.{{cite web|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/18/marlins-designate-jon-rauch-for-assignment/|title=Marlins designate Jon Rauch for assignment|last=Short|first=D.J.|work=NBC Sports|date=May 18, 2013|access-date=May 18, 2013}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-sign-veteran-rhp-jon-rauch-to-minor-league-deal-20130601,0,3566406.story|title=Orioles sign veteran RHP Jon Rauch to minor league deal|last=Gallen|first=Daniel|publisher=BaltimoreSun.com|date=June 1, 2013|access-date=June 1, 2013|archive-date=May 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514010834/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-sign-veteran-rhp-jon-rauch-to-minor-league-deal-20130601,0,3566406.story|url-status=dead}}

=Baltimore Orioles=

On June 1, 2013, it was announced that the Orioles had signed Rauch to a minor league contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-sign-veteran-rhp-jon-rauch-to-minor-league-deal-20130601,0,3566406.story|title=Orioles sign veteran RHP Jon Rauch to minor league deal|last=Gallen|first=Daniel|publisher=BaltimoreSun.com|date=June 1, 2013|access-date=June 1, 2013|archive-date=May 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514010834/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-sign-veteran-rhp-jon-rauch-to-minor-league-deal-20130601,0,3566406.story|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/03/orioles-release-jon-rauch/ |title=Orioles release Jon Rauch |work=NBC Sports |first=Aaron |last=Gleeman |date=July 3, 2013}}

=Kansas City Royals=

On January 23, 2014, Rauch signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals with an invitation to spring training.{{Cite web | url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/23/royals-sign-jon-rauch/ |title = Royals sign Jon Rauch|date = January 23, 2014}} He was released on March 26.

Rauch retired following the 2014 season.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

Personal life

Rauch is {{convert|6|ft|11|in}} tall, and when he played, was the tallest major leaguer in history.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/07/AR2007030702385.html |title=washingtonpost.com |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 8, 2007 |access-date=July 26, 2012}} Sean Hjelle, who is the same height, debuted in 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/giants-sean-hjelle-ties-record-for-mlbs-tallest-pitcher-as-6-foot-11-righty-debuts-vs-cardinals/ | title=Giants' Sean Hjelle ties record for MLB's tallest pitcher as 6-foot-11 righty debuts vs. Cardinals | date=May 7, 2022 }}

Rauch is currently a project manager for Sun Valley Masonry in the greater Tucson area.https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-rauch-33a012b6