Athletes - Chris Reitsma

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	Athletes - Chris Reitsma

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 Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball team. He made his Major League debut on April 1, 2001.

Reitsma features three impressive pitches. He has a sinking fastball that induces groundballs, as well a nasty changeup that is considered to be one of the best in the game. He also possesses a big, looping curveball that he doesn't throw as much as his fastball and changeup, even though it is a very tough pitch to handle.

With the Atlanta Braves, Reitsma has been used as a relief pitcher, more specifically as a "setup man"; in other words, he sets up the situation for the closer (9th inning pitcher brought in in close games). However, 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. On the last day of non-waiver trades in 2005, the Braves traded for relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for pitcher Roman Colón and a minor leaguer. 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 '05 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, so it appears Reitsma will get a chance to be the Braves' closer again in 2006.

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

Reitsma pitched for Canada in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

=Career Stats= Wins - 31

Losses - 42

ERA - 4.38

Complete Games - 1

Shutouts - 1

Saves - 51

Strikeouts - 335

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Chris Reitsma ]

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Athletes - Chris Reitsma

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