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.

Related Topics:
December 31 - 1977 - Minneapolis - Minnesota - Calgary - Alberta - Canada - Atlanta Braves - Major League Baseball - April 1 - 2001

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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 being considered ineffective, 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.

Related Topics:
Setup man - 2005 - Closer - Danny Kolb - John Smoltz - Kyle Farnsworth - Detroit Tigers - Roman Colón

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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.

Related Topics:
Canada - United States

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