View source for Jon Rauch

{{short description|American baseball pitcher (born 1978)}}
{{about|the baseball player|the writer|Jonathan Rauch|other people with similar names|John Rauch (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{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 (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=43–40
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=3.90
|stat3label=[[Strikeout]]s
|stat3value=475
|stat4label=[[Save (baseball)|Saves]]
|teams=
* [[Chicago White Sox]] ({{mlby|2002}}, {{mlby|2004}})
* [[Washington Nationals|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=
{{MedalSport|Men's [[baseball]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Baseball at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000 Sydney]]| [[United States national baseball team|Team]]}}
}}

'''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 Games|Olympic]] [[Gold Medal]]ist 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 [[Fraternities and sororities in North America|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 Major League Baseball draft|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 [[Earned run average|ERA]] in eight games and six [[Starting pitcher|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 (baseball)|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 (baseball)|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, D.C.|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Before being traded, Rauch spent most of the year as the [[Closer (baseball)|closer]] in place of injured [[Chad Cordero]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Minnesota Twins===
On August 28, 2009, Rauch was traded to the Minnesota Twins for RHP [[Kevin Mulvey]].<ref>{{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  }}</ref> He appeared in 17 games for the Twins before the end of the season, posting a 5–1 record with a 1.72 ERA.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

On April 2, 2010, Twins manager [[Ron Gardenhire]] named Rauch the team's closer, replacing the injured [[Joe Nathan]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Blue Jays manager [[John Farrell (pitcher)|John Farrell]] suffered a dislocated jaw while attempting to restrain Rauch from going after umpire [[Alfonso Marquez]] during a game on July 2, 2011.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Both Rauch and Farrell were ejected from the game.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===New York Mets===
[[File:Jon Rauch on April 5, 2012.jpg|220px|thumb|Rauch with the New York Mets]]

On December 6, 2011, Rauch agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the [[New York Mets]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/02/marlins-sign-jon-rauch.html |title = Marlins Sign Jon Rauch| date=February 5, 2013 }}</ref> Rauch was designated for assignment on May 18.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Baltimore Orioles===
On June 1, 2013, it was announced that the Orioles had signed Rauch to a minor league contract.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Kansas City Royals===
On January 23, 2014, Rauch signed a minor league contract with the [[Kansas City Royals]] with an invitation to spring training.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/23/royals-sign-jon-rauch/ |title = Royals sign Jon Rauch|date = January 23, 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Sean Hjelle]], who is the same height, debuted in 2022.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

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

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}

* [[List of Major League Baseball single-inning strikeout leaders]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Baseballstats|mlb=400010|espn=4572|br=r/rauchjo01|fangraphs=1475|brm=rauch-001jon}}

{{Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award}}
{{The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year Award}}
{{2000 Olympic Champions Baseball}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rauch, Jon}}
[[Category:1978 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:Chicago White Sox players]]
[[Category:Montreal Expos players]]
[[Category:Washington Nationals players]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players]]
[[Category:Minnesota Twins players]]
[[Category:Toronto Blue Jays players]]
[[Category:New York Mets players]]
[[Category:Miami Marlins players]]
[[Category:Baseball players at the 2000 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in baseball]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Bristol White Sox players]]
[[Category:Winston-Salem Warthogs players]]
[[Category:Birmingham Barons players]]
[[Category:Charlotte Knights players]]
[[Category:Edmonton Trappers players]]
[[Category:New Orleans Zephyrs players]]
[[Category:Morehead State Eagles baseball players]]
[[Category:Norfolk Tides players]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics]]