Kirk Rueter was a left-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for 13 seasons. He was known for his consistency and durability, and was a key member of the San Francisco Giants pitching staff during his time with the team.
Rueter was born on December 1, 1970 in Centralia, Illinois. He attended Murray State University in Kentucky, where he played college baseball and was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year in 1991. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 18th round of the 1991 MLB Draft.
Rueter made his MLB debut with the Expos in 1993, and spent four seasons with the team. He was traded to the Giants in 1996, and quickly became a fan favorite in San Francisco. He was known for his unorthodox pitching style, which included a slow windup and a variety of off-speed pitches.
Rueter had his best season in 1998, when he went 16-9 with a 3.27 ERA and was named to the National League All-Star team. He helped lead the Giants to the playoffs that year, and pitched well in the postseason despite the team's early exit.
Rueter continued to be a reliable starter for the Giants over the next several seasons. He won at least 10 games in each of his first eight seasons with the team, and was known for his ability to pitch deep into games and keep his team in the game.
Rueter's career came to an end in 2005, when he was released by the Giants in August. He finished his career with a record of 130-92 and a 4.27 ERA. He was known for his durability, having made at least 30 starts in eight different seasons.
After retiring from baseball, Rueter returned to his hometown of Centralia, Illinois, where he became a high school baseball coach. He also worked as a color commentator for the Giants' radio broadcasts for a few seasons.
Overall, Kirk Rueter was a consistent and reliable pitcher who was a key member of the Giants pitching staff during his time with the team. He was known for his unorthodox pitching style and his ability to pitch deep into games, and was a fan favorite in San Francisco.
⚾