He and his wife Janelle have two daughters, Kylie and Emily...Graduated from Calgary
Christian High School in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where he earned three varsity letters in
basketball...Pitched on the Canadian Junior National Team...In the Calgary Babe Ruth League went 6-0 with
two no-hitters in seven games...In the off-season he works with children with disabilities...Last name pronounced
REETS-muh.
2006
Given the chance to be the team's closer, he converted eight of his 12 save opportunities. He allowed 10 earned runs in the 12 1/3 innings he completed in May, and posted a 21.21 ERA in five June appearances. He was placed on the disabled list on June 12, and made just one more appearance before having surgery to repair the ulnar neuritis that was causing numbness in his right hand.
2005
Agreed to participate for Canada in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
... Appeared in a team-high 76 games, the second straight year he led the Braves in appearances (had a
franchise-record 84 in 2004).
... His 15 saves established a career high (previously had 12 for the Reds in 2003).
... Retired 57 of 76 (75%) of the first batters he faced.
... Earned his first save of the season and the 15th of his career with 2.0 scoreless innings 5/25 vs. NYM.
... His save 6/1 at WSH (16th career save) and his save 5/25 vs. NYM are only 2.0+ IP saves of his career.
... Took a liner off his right side (J.J. Hardy) in the ninth inning 7/10 and had to leave the game. X-rays were
negative.
... Earned his first career Rolaids Man of the Month Award in July, edging Houston's Brad Lidge in Rolaids
points (28-26).
... Had converted nine straight save opportunities (7/3-8/4) prior to allowing four runs, getting a BS and loss
at STL on 8/7 - his first blown save since 6/29 at FLA.
... Earned a save or win in 10 straight appearances from 7/15 to 8/4 (two wins, eight saves).
... Suffered his ninth blown save and sixth loss 9/28 on T. Greene's three-run homer in the eighth inning.
... 2005 POSTSEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Division Series (Hou.): Appeared in all four games, allowing six
earned runs in 3.1 IP...Was tagged for four runs on three hits in 0.1 IP in Game 1, all on singles, a sacrifice
bunt and inherited runners allowed by John Foster who followed...Threw a scoreless eighth inning in Game
2...Allowed a double and single to leadoff the seventh inning of Game 3, both runners eventually
scoring...Threw two scoreless innings in Game 4 at Houston.
2004
Appeared in a franchise-record 84 games...Tied for second in the NL with 31 holds...In the offseason, he was part of the MLB All-Star team that traveled to Japan, 11/5-14. During the eightgame
exhibition series, in three appearances he went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA over 3.0 IP, allowing one hit
and had one strikeout...Allowed just three of 19 inherited runners to scored this season - all in the same game 6/22 at FLA...Was acquired via trade from the Reds on 3/26. Pitched 13 spring games overall, posting a 1.93 ERA...Recorded his second save 9/25 vs. FLA...Claimed his fifth win 8/18 at SD...Earned his first Braves save on 8/6 at ARI...Suffered loss 8/3 at HOU, allowing an 8th-inning run. Won his fourth game on 7/22 vs. PIT.
2004 POSTSEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Division Series (Hou.): Appeared in Games 1, 3 and 5...Came on in
the sixth inning of Game 3 and stranded men at second and third to keep the game at 4-2 Astros....In Game
5, came in for the seventh inning and gave up four runs on four hits, including a two-run homer by Jeff Bagwell.
2003
Was voted the club's Most Outstanding Pitcher by the local chapter of the BBWAA...became the
first pitcher in modern history to lead the Reds in victories with fewer than 10...in his last 47 apps of the season
beginning 6/1 went 6-3-12, 2.84...after Scott Williamson was traded to the Red Sox on 7/29 became the club's
closer...converted his last 5 save opps, 12 of his last 14 save opps and 12 of 18 save opps overall...went 1-1, 7.27 in
his 3 starts and 8-4, 3.51 in his 54 relief apps...made his last 53 apps out of the bullpen...made his first 2 apps of the
season as a starter...in his season debut on 4/23 vs LA threw 8.0 shutout innings in the 3-0 victory (8h, 1bb, 2k)...in his
next appearance, a 10-5 loss on 4/29 at Col, allowed 12 hits and 9 earned runs, both career highs, and 9 runs to tie
his career high...also allowed 3 homers...following that second start was diagnosed with tendinitis in his right biceps
muscle...did not pitch again until a relief appearance on 5/6 vs StL...on 5/9 vs Mil started in place of the injured Ryan
Dempster (4.1ip, 7h, 5er), then returned to the bullpen for his last 53 apps...in his 9-3 victory on 5/21 vs Atl threw 4.0
shutout innings in the longest relief outing of his career...in the 3-2 win on 8/14 vs Ari recorded the first save of his
professional career...as a reliever retired the first batter 41-54 times and stranded 16-21 inherited baserunners...the
Reds went 32-25 in games he pitched...didn't pitch from 6/29-7/4 because of discomfort in his right forearm...began
the season at Louisville, where he made 4 starts before he was promoted as 1 of 7 player transactions on 4/19
following a day/night doubleheader sweep loss to the Expos in San Juan.
Career highlights: In voting of the Cincinnati chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America
received the 2003 Johnny Vander Meer Award as the club's Most Outstanding Pitcher...in 2001 became the first Reds
pitcher to lead National League rookies in both starts (29) and innings pitched (182) since LHP Tom Browning in 1985
(38gs, 261.1ip) and the first righthander to do it since Pat Zachry in 1976 (28gs, 204ip)...was named National League
Co-Player of the Week from 4/9-4/15, 2001...twice has broken his elbow throwing pitches...in 1997 had surgery to
insert and then remove screws in his right elbow and in 1998 suffered a stress fracture in that elbow that did not
require surgery...in 1996, his first professional season, was named Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year...is a
citizen of both the United States and Canada...in 2001 became the 11th Canadian citizen to appear for the Reds (OF
Glen Gorbous, P Bert Sincock, OF Doc Miller, P Clarence Currie, P Bob Hooper, OF Nigel Wilson, P Rube Vickers, OF Andy
Kyle, P Win Kellum, OF Tip O'Neill)...his Major League debut was the lead story on the Calgary broadcast news and
made Page 1A of the Calgary Herald.
2002
In his second Major League season went 6-12, 3.64 in 32 apps, including 21 starts...from 7/31-8/19 also made 3 starts at Class AAA Louisville (2-0, 3.86, 1cg)...spent 1 day on the Class AA Chattanooga roster...he was optioned there on 8/27, when Elmer Dessens came off the disabled list, and was recalled the next day, when Brian Moehler went on the DL...led the staff with 12 losses...went 4-10, 4.07 in his 21 starts and 2-2, 1.29 in 11 relief apps...made his first 19 apps as a starter and 11 of his last 13 apps out of the bullpen, including each of his last 8 apps of the season (1.26era)...began the season with the Reds and went 4-8, 3.41 in 19 starts and 2 relief apps before he was optioned to Louisville on 7/31, when Gabe White came off the DL...made his 3 starts for Louisville, including a 4-hit complete game in the 8-2 victory at Columbus on 8/9, and returned to Cin on 8/20...after that 8/20 recall finished the season 2-4, 4.61 in 2 starts and 9 relief apps...in his 21 starts the Reds went 8-13 and scored 77 runs (3.7 r/g), including an average of just 2.33 runs with Reitsma still in the game...Reds batters scored 29 runs total in his last 11 starts (2.6 r/g)...in his first 9 starts through 5/21 went 3-0, 2.59...in his last 12 starts went 1-10, 5.11, including a career-high 7-game losing streak from 5/26-7/3 (8gs, 0-7, 4.37) that tied Joey Hamilton for the longest by a Reds pitcher all season...in his 8 starts during that losing streak the Reds scored 20 runs (2.5 r/g)...in his first start of the second half snapped that skid with a 2-0 victory on 7/15 at Mil, the first of the Reds' 2 complete games (5h, 3bb, 4k)...was his first career CG and shutout, in his 47th career start, and the Reds' first complete game since 7/28/01 to snap a streak in which they had gone 150g without a CG...in that 2-0 win didn't allow a runner to reach third base, induced 3 GIDP and stranded 5 baserunners...twice was the victim of blown saves...2 starts were cut short when he did not return after rain delays (4/24 vs Col, 5/31 vs Atl)...made 8 quality starts (6ip, 3er)...the last 2 seasons went 2-12 in the 16 starts in which the Reds scored 2 runs or fewer, including 1-5 in 8 starts in 2002...made his final start in an 11-2 loss on 8/31 vs Mil and allowed a career-high 5 homers to tie the club record accomplished many times, most recently by Brett Tomko on 6/15/99 vs NYM...on 4/12 at Phi, threw 2.1 innings to tie his shortest career start (9/10/01 at Chi)...on 4/18 vs Hou recorded a career-high 7 strikeouts...in the 11-4 loss on 7/3 vs Hou allowed a career-high 9 runs, all unearned following his own error and errors by Barry Larkin and Todd Walker...in relief retired the first batter 8-11 times (73%)...stranded 2-3 inherited baserunners...as a hitter began the season 0-for-18 until he singled off Jason Simontacchi on 6/28 at StL.
2001
In 2001 became the first Reds pitcher to lead National League
rookies in both starts (29) and innings pitched (182) since LHP Tom
Browning in 1985 (38gs, 261.1IP) and the first righthander to do it
since Pat Zachry in 1976 (28gs, 204IP).
Was named National League Co-Player of the Week from 4/9-4/15,
2001.
Is a citizen of both the United States and Canada...in 2001
became the 11th Canadian citizen to appear for the Reds (OF Glen
Gorbous, P Bert Sincock, OF Doc Miller, P Clarence Currie, P Bob
Hooper, OF Nigel Wilson, P Rube Vickers, OF Andy Kyle, P Win Kellum,
OF Tip O'Neill)... his Major League debut was the lead story on the
Calgary broadcast news and made Page 1A of the Calgary Herald.
In his Major League debut went 7-15, 5.29 in 29 starts and seven
relief appearances.
Led National League rookies in starts and innings pitched and
ranked among the rookie leaders in strikeouts (3rd) and wins
(T5th)...ranked second on the Reds' staff in starts, innings pitched,
strikeouts and quality starts (16)...led the club in losses.
Was one of 11 Reds players to make his Major League debut in
2001, one of four Reds pitchers to make that debut as a starter (Jose
Acevedo, Lance Davis, Brian Reith) and one of four Reds pitchers to
skip Class AAA (Jose Acevedo, Brian Reith, Chris Piersoll)...from
6/19-7/4 pitched in a rotation that included fellow rookies Brian
Reith, Chris Reitsma and Lance Davis, giving the Reds four rookies in
the same rotation for the first time since 1993 (Bobby Ayala, Larry
Luebbers, John Roper, Tim Pugh)...was one of five first-year pitchers
to make at least one start (Jose Acevedo, Lance Davis, Jared
Fernandez, Brian Reith)...five first-year pitchers started at least
one game for the Reds for the first time since 1945.
In the National League Rookie of the Month Award voting for April
was the only player other than winner Albert Pujols of St. Louis to
receive votes...in April led all NL Rookies in innings pitched (30.0)
and tied for the lead in strikeouts (17)...was named NL Co-Player of
the Week for the week ending 4/15 (2gs, 2-0, 0.68)...shared the award
with LA's Gary Sheffield...became the first Reds pitcher to win a
Player of the Week Award since Jose Rijo won for the week ending
9/23/90.
Earned a spot in the Reds' rotation after he finishing spring
training 1-1, 2.66 in six games and two starts.
Through 7/22 made his first 21 appearances for the Reds as a
starter (4-10, 4.17)...skipped a scheduled start on 7/28 after
accumulating a career-high 206IP in the previous calendar year.
On 7/29 vs Florida, made his first relief appearance of the
season and threw a perfect inning to earn the 8-4 victory...returned
to the rotation with his next appearance, a 2-0 loss on 8/4 at San
Diego (7IP, 6H, 2ER, 1BB, 4K), and made eight more starts (2-5, 6.70)
before he returned to the bullpen for his last six appearances of the
season (0-0, 6.75)...made his last start of the season on 9/10 at
Cubs, in the shortest start of his career suffered the 8-2 loss
(2.1IP, 7H, 6R, 5ER, 2BB, 1IBB, 0K).
Allowed 56 of his 121 runs with two outs (46%)...the Reds went
10-19 in his 29 starts and scored 138 runs (4.8 r/g)...went 1-7 in
the eight starts in which the Reds scored two runs or fewer...three
times was a victim of blown saves.
Allowed just two home runs in his first 49.2IP, then leading off
the seventh inning of his 6-3 loss on 5/19 at Houston allowed homers
on consecutive pitches to Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman...from
4/4-5/8 did not allow a homer in 40IP.
On 4/4 vs Pittsburgh made his Major League debut after 68 minor
league appearances, including 67 starts...started but received no
decision in the 6-5 loss (6IP, 3H, 2ER, 1BB, 4K, 1HR)...after Adrian
Brown's two-out, two-run HR in the third inning, allowed only Derek
Bell's infield single the rest of his outing...first strikeout victim
was John Vander Wal.
On 4/9 at Pittsburgh, started the first regular-season game at
PNC Park and in the 8-2 win earned his first career victory (6+IP,
6H, 2R, 1ER, 1BB, 5K)...he autographed one of the balls used in that
game for display in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
In the 1-0 victory at Mets on 4/14 became the first Red to pitch
into the eighth inning.
In the 11-inning, 4-3 loss on 5/8 at Arizona became the first
Reds pitcher to throw at least 8.0 innings.
In 10 starts from 6/26-8/20 went 0-7, 6.39...that streak was
interrupted by his victory in relief vs Florida on 7/29...he snapped
that losing streak as a starter with a 4-2 victory on 8/25 at
Montreal, followed by an 11-3 win vs Pittsburgh on 8/31.
On 8/20 vs St. Louis, allowed a 439-foot home run to Albert
Pujols, the only ball all season to clear the 40-foot batter's eye in
center field.
In his 4-2 victory on 8/25 at Montreal, turned in one of the best
starts by a Reds pitcher all year (8.2IP, 5H, 2ER, 0BB, 4K, 1HR)...
took a three-hit shutout into the ninth inning, then allowed Jose
Vidro's leadoff single and Orlando Cabrera's two-out homer...came
within one out of becoming the first Reds rookie to throw a shutout
since RHP Kevin Jarvis threw a two-hitter in a 2-0 win on 5/10/95 at
Florida.
In relief, retired the first batter 6-7 times (86%) and stranded
all four inherited baserunners.
As a hitter, recorded his first Major League hit on 4/14 at Mets
(single off Al Leiter), his first RBI on 5/14 vs Houston (single off
Wade Miller) and his first extra-base hit on 8/20 vs St. Louis
(double off Woody Williams)...with seven sacrifice bunts, ranked
second on the club.
2000
Combined to go 10-6, 3.03 with 1 complete game in 25 starts at Class AA Trenton and Class A Sarasota...in 154.2 innings allowed just 135 hits and 38 walks with 105 strikeouts...began the season at Sarasota, where he went 3-4, 3.66 in 11 starts...was promoted to Trenton in June and finished the season 7-2, 2.58 in his last 14 starts...he did not pitch after his 8/31 trade to the Reds...at Trenton allowed just 10.03 baserunners per 9 innings, second-best ratio in the Eastern League, and 1.98 walks per 9 innings, fourth-best ratio in the EL...following the season played for Grand Canyon in the Arizona Fall League and went 2-0, 1.44 with 2 saves in 13 relief apps (25ip, 18h, 4bb, 21k)...ranked third in the AFL in ERA.
1999
Spent the season at Sarasota in the Florida State League and went 4-10, 5.61 in 19 starts...from 5/15-6/12 posted 3 wins and a 3.12era, including consecutive victories on 6/7 and 6/12 in which he allowed just 1 run in 12.0 innings...in a win on 8/21 vs Ft. Myers had one of his best outings of the season (7ip, 3h, 0r, 1bb, 5k)...between the wins on 6/12 and 8/21 lost 6 consecutive decisions over 10 starts.
1998
At Class A Sarasota threw 12.2 innings over 8 starts while recovering from a fractured right elbow suffered on 6/4/97.
1997
At Class A Michigan went 4-1, 2.90 in 9 starts before he suffered a fractured right elbow on 6/4 at Rockford...did not pitch the rest of the season...suffered the injury while delivering a pitch.
1996
In his first professional season was named the Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the Red Sox after going 3-1, 1.35 in 6 starts and 1 relief appearance at Gulf Coast League Sarasota...with 32 strikeouts in 26.2 innings averaged 10.8 strikeouts per 9 innings...allowed just 1 walk all season...from 8/7-8/19 went 3-0, 1.72.
