Former major league standout Kirk Rueter joined the Bearcats’ coaching staff prior to the 2014 season. Rueter works with the McKendree pitching staff as the team enters its first full year as NCAA Division II members.
Rueter, a left-handed pitcher, spent 13 years in the major leagues. The Hoyleton, Ill., native broke in with the Montreal Expos in 1993 and spent parts of four seasons with the organization before being traded to the San Francisco Giants during the 1996 campaign. During his 10 seasons with San Francisco Rueter amassed 105 victories, a mark that makes him the all-time wins leader for a left-hander in the long, rich history of the Giants’ organization. Rueter appeared in the post-season three times with San Francisco and started Game 4 of the 2002 World Series.
For his career, Rueter compiled an overall record of 130-92. He reached double figures in the wins column seven consecutive years, which included a career-high 16 victories in 1998.
Rueter has pased his knowledge of the game down to the younger members of the Bearcats' pitching staff, and his pupils have in turn applied that knowledge on the mound. Rueter has been especially instrumental in the development of McKendree southpaws such as Sam Lidisky and Josh Tonozzi. Since Rueter's arrival, Lidisky has twice led the Bearcats' staff in victories, while Tonozzi has been a versatile member of the squad, leading McKendree with 21 appearances in 2015.
Rueter reside in Hoyleton with his wife, Karla, and their daughters Hope and Halle.
