J.j. Putz
J." Putz (/pʊtz/; born February 22, 1977) is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Mets.
High school
Born in Trenton, Michigan, Putz led Trenton High School to the 1994 Division 2 state championship. 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.
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 Mariners' closer since 2004, taught him to throw a splitter. 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 2007, Putz signed a three-year, $13.1 million deal with a $8.6 million team option for 2010.
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. In 2007, he also became the first Mariner ever to win the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award.
On December 10, 2008, Putz was part of a 12-player trade that sent him to the New York Mets.
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.