Chris Reitsma

Christopher Michael Reitsma (born December 31, 1977) is a Canadian American former right-handed professional baseball pitcher.

He played seven seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 2001 until 2007, with the Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, and Seattle Mariners.

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.

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.

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 incumbent closer J. J. Putz.

Seattle reliever George Sherrill and strength coach Allen Wirtala had the shirts made up shortly after a game at Yankee Stadium.

Reitsma's father Mike, former senior pastor of River Park Church in Calgary, was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1985.