Happy Birthday Jon Rauch

Today marks Jon Rauch’s 48th birthday.

Rauch served as our closer in the 2011 season, but it was a challenging year for him. He posted a 4.85 ERA with 11 saves (and 5 blown saves) over 53 games, surrendering 11 home runs in 52 innings. He issued 14 walks and struck out 36 batters in those 52 innings—numbers that fell short of expectations for a closer.

He missed time due to an appendectomy and torn cartilage in his right knee.

Still, he was easily the most intimidating reliever we’ve ever had. This was his most memorable moment as a Blue Jay:

At 6’11” and 290 pounds, I certainly wouldn’t have wanted him charging at me. John Farrell, not a small man himself, looked small trying to pull Jon away from the umpire.

It’s unfortunate that the most remembered moment from his 11-year career was so uncharacteristic for Jon, but such is life.

Rauch enjoyed an 11-year MLB career, playing for seven teams. He appeared in 556 games—just 11 as a starter—compiling a 3.90 ERA and recording 62 saves. His best stretch came with the Nationals, where he posted a 3.24 ERA in 245 games over five seasons.

Happy birthday, Jon. Hope it’s a great one.

Len Matuszek celebrates his 72nd birthday today.

It’s understandable if you don’t remember his time as a Blue Jay. The Jays acquired him at the start of the 1985 season, and he played 62 games, hitting .212/.259/.318 with 2 home runs while splitting time between DH and first base.

In early July, he was traded to the Dodgers for Al Oliver. At 38 and nearing the end of a stellar 18-year career, Oliver didn’t fare much better, filling the same role as the left half of a DH platoon. He hit .251/.282/.374 with 5 home runs. That year, we made the playoffs for the first time, ultimately falling to the Royals in 7 games in the ALCS. Al had an outstanding series, batting .375/.444/.500.

Matuszek played seven seasons in the majors with the Phillies, Blue Jays, and Dodgers. Over 379 games, he hit .234/.309/.405—not the production you hope for from a first baseman.

Happy birthday, Len. Hope you have a great day.

Jason Phillips turns 50 today.

Jason served as our backup catcher from 2006 to 2007, appearing in 80 games and hitting .219/.271/.302 behind Gregg Zaun.

He enjoyed a seven-year MLB career, hitting .249/.314/.370 with 30 home runs in 465 games, playing for the Mets, Dodgers, and finishing with the Jays in his last two seasons. I recall him as a good person and a solid defensive catcher who could also handle first base.

He later worked as a bullpen catcher for us in 2016 and also coached in the Yankees’ minor league system.

Happy birthday, Jason.

Matt Shoemaker celebrates his 40th birthday today.

You know the story: Matt made five terrific starts with a 1.57 ERA before tearing his ACL, ending his season. If you need a reminder of the play (there’s a reason teams hesitate to involve pitchers in rundowns):

In 2020, Matt appeared in six games, posting a 4.71 ERA and missing a month of the shortened season with a shoulder injury.

Shoemaker signed with the Twins last winter, but things didn’t go well. After 16 appearances and an 8.06 ERA, he was released on August 6th. Soon after, he signed a minor league deal with the Giants.

Matt has pitched nine seasons in MLB, recording a 46-41 record and a 4.24 ERA across 128 games (115 starts).

Happy birthday, Matt. Hope it’s a great one.