J. J. Putz

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**J.J. Putz**

Seattle Mariners — No. 20
Closer
Born: February 22, 1977 (1977-02-22) (age 31)
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
August 11, 2003 for the Seattle Mariners
Selected MLB statistics (through 2007)
Win-Loss	16-10
Saves	102
Earned Run Average	2.93
Strikeouts	281
Teams
Seattle Mariners (2003-present)

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

1 Early career
2 Career as closer
3 Entrance music
4 High school
5 Personal
6 Reference
7 External links

[edit] 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 11 August 2003. Since 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 2006 season, Eddie Guardado, who had been the Mariner's 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.

[edit] 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.

During January 2007, Putz signed a 3-year, $13.1 million deal with a $8.6 million team option for 2010.^[1]

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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] High school

A 1995 graduate of Trenton High School (Trenton, MI).
Led Trenton High School to the 1994 Division 2 state championship.

[edit] Personal

Putz stands 6’5” tall and weighs 250lbs. 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.