J. J. Putz

J. J. Putz
Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 40
Relief pitcher
Born: February 22, 1977 (1977-02-22)
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 11, 2003 for the Seattle Mariners
Career statistics (through 2011)
Win–loss record	32–26
Earned run average	3.06
Strikeouts	482
Saves	151
Teams
Seattle Mariners (2003–2008) New York Mets (2009) Chicago White Sox (2010) Arizona Diamondbacks (2011–present)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star selection (2007) Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award (2007)

Putz with the Seattle Mariners in 2007.

Joseph Jason "J. J." Putz ( /ˈpʊts/; born February 22, 1977) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

High school

Born in Trenton, Michigan, Putz led Trenton High School to the 1994 Division 2 state championship. He graduated in 1995 and won the Mr. Baseball award for the state of Michigan.

Professional career

Seattle Mariners

Putz attended the University of Michigan, and was drafted by the Mariners in the 6th round in 1999. He made his Major League debut with the Mariners on August 11, 2003. In 2006, he became the closer for the Mariners.

All through the minors, Putz had been able to throw an excellent fastball that topped out at 97 miles per hour, but had been only marginally successful due to the fact that his only other pitch was a below average slider. His first few years in the majors were not terrible, but they were also nothing special. In spring training before the 2006 season, Eddie Guardado, who had been the Mariners' closer since 2004, taught him to throw a splitter. After mastering the new secondary pitch, Putz abandoned his slider and became a much improved pitcher.

A few weeks into the 2006 season, Putz took over the closing job from the aging Guardado. He converted 36 of 43 save opportunities while posting a 2.30 ERA and striking out 104 in 78.1 innings of work.

In 2007, Putz continued to improve his game. He made his first All-Star appearance, where he was given a save opportunity. He converted 40 saves in 42 save opportunities with a 1.38 ERA, .698 WHIP, 82 strikeouts and 13 walks in 71.2 innings. On July 6, 2007, he was named the June 2007 winner of the "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award," recognizing the top relief pitcher for the month and on September 25, 2007, Putz was named as one of 10 finalist for the "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award." On July 14, 2007, Putz broke Eddie Guardado's Mariners' consecutive saves record. The streak ended at 30 consecutive saves. In 2007, he also became the first Mariner ever to win the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award.

New York Mets

On December 10, 2008, Putz was part of a three-team, twelve-player trade that sent him to the New York Mets in exchange for pitcher Aaron Heilman, utility outfielder Endy Chávez, and prospects. He made his Mets debut on April 6, 2009 against the Cincinnati Reds, pitching a hitless inning. After a disappointing 2009 season, on November 6, the Mets declined to exercise Putz's 2010 team option, thus making him a free agent.

Chicago White Sox

On December 11, 2009, Putz signed a one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox worth $3 million. On July 20, 2010, Putz set a Chicago White Sox franchise record by pitching 25 consecutive scoreless outings.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On December 6, 2010, Putz signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The deal is a reported $10 million over two years, with an option for the third year. Putz was the Diamondbacks primary closer in 2011 and helped turnaround a team that a year before had lost 97 games with a bullpen ERA of 5.74.

Entrance music

He currently enters to "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC. With each out of the inning, the song is replayed starting at "You've Been Thunderstruck" and lasts for several seconds.

Personal

Putz stands 6’5” tall and weighs 250 lb. Affectionately nicknamed "The Big Guy," by Mariners broadcaster Dave Sims. Putz shared a dorm with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady while at the University of Michigan. He currently lives in Peoria, Arizona with his wife, Kelsey; twin daughters Lauren and Kaelyn, born in 2005; son Ethan, born in 2009; and daughter Addison, born in 2011. He stated in an interview with KTVK- Phoenix on April 8, 2011 that has kept a home in Peoria, AZ ever since he began spring training in the Cactus league.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)

Preceded by Dan Haren	American League Pitcher of the month June 2007	Succeeded by Érik Bédard
Preceded by Francisco Rodriguez	American League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award 2007	Succeeded by Francisco Rodriguez