Rauch given closer role
There was talk that the Twins would use the closer-by-committee method in the bullpen to replace Joe Nathan, but that idea was scrapped as Ron Gardenhire named Jon Rauch as the reliever to take over in the role.
During a Spring Training television broadcast, Gardenhire joked with the ESPN broadcast team that if a player stepped up and wanted the job he’d give it to him. He then expressed his hopes that a reliever would fall into the role so everyone else in the bullpen knows what is expected of them.
A day later, Rauch was announced as the closer. Rauch first heard of Gardenhire’s decision on Thursday and thought it was an April Fools joke. It wasn’t, as Gardenhire likes Rauch’s closing experience, which at 26 saves towers over anyone one else currently in the bullpen.
Rauch isn’t an overpowering pitcher, but his huge 6’11″ frame and vast array of tattoos scattered about his body can possibly strike fear in hitters and Gardenhire expressed that Rauch has the closer mentality. Even so, Rauch is nervous as he has some big shoes to fill, but is up for the challenge.
“Hopefully I can just try to do somewhat of the same job that Joe did for the past few years and just keep this team on a winning streak and get ‘em to the postseason,” Rauch said after earning the role.
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