J. J. Putz

Infobox MLB player
name=J.J. Putz

---

width=300
positionplain=Relief pitcher
team=Seattle Mariners
number=20
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1977|2|22
birthplace=city-state|Trenton|Michigan
debutdate=August 11
debutyear=2003
debutteam=Seattle Mariners
statyear=2008 season
stat1label=Win-Loss
stat1value=22-15
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=3.07
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=337
stat4label=Saves
stat4value=101
teams=
*Seattle Mariners (by|2003-present)

Joseph Jason "J.J." Putz (born February 22, 1977 in Trenton, Michigan) is a Major League Baseball closer for the Seattle Mariners.

High school

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.

Early career

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, by|2003. Since by|2006, he has been 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 by|2006 season, Eddie Guardado, who had been the Mariners' closer since by|2004, taught him to throw a splitter. After mastering the new secondary pitch, Putz abandoned his slider and became a much improved pitcher.

Career as closer

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 January by|2007, Putz signed a three-year, $13.1 million deal with a $8.6 million team option for 2010. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2734202 Mariners closer agrees to $13.1M, three-year contract] ESPN,com ]

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.

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.

tatistics

Career Statistics:
:"2008 statistics current as of August 22, 2008"

References

External links

* [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2007-06-28-3237756164_x.htm USA Today]