17
2009
J.J. Putz Was Dealing Last Night
An article by 
When the Mets made the deal for J.J. Putz this past off season, most of us applauded the move not only because it shuttle Aaron Heilman out of town, but because one look at Putz and you knew we were getting one of the most dominant closers in the American League.
So far this season, it hadn’t appeared like the Mets got the J.J. Putz they thought they bargained for. Not only did he suddenly look very hittable, but his mid nineties fastball was struggling to hit 90-91 MPH on the radar gun.
His velocity wasn’t the only thing that was down. His strikeout rate was down from 10.9 batters per nine innings, to 6.4.
All of a sudden the blame game started with Dan Warthen and Jerry Manuel blaming the WBC, and J.J. Putz going on WFAN and saying the loss of velocity was due to less adrenaline from pitching in a setup role instead of the closer’s role.
Well guess what? It seems like they were all wrong.
In his first appearance back since missing a few days due to a shot to help reduce some inflammation in his right elbow, J.J. Putz went out and pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning and picked up his first save of the 2009 season.
More importantly than anything else though, was the fact that his fastball was alive and well and consistently lighting up the radar gun at 95 MPH.
Putz spoke to reporters after the game;
“Today, it felt like my arm was nice and free and easy and loose. It was almost like effortless to get through it. It felt good from the very first pitch.”
After that dominant one-inning performance, Putz roared his approval from the mound, and Mets Nation breathed a collective sigh of relief.
The league’s best bullpen, just got a whole lot better.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
Went to my first Mets game, a Mayors Trophy game at Shea, in '73. We beat the Yankees 8-4 and I was hooked. I marched in two Banner Day parades, and before the Grand Slam single, there was the "Hendu Can Do" grand slam - I was there. I've collected Mets memorabilia all my life and started Mets Merized Online to feed my addiction.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | 26 | 18 | .591 | - |
| Braves | 26 | 19 | .578 | 0.5 |
| Mets | 24 | 20 | .545 | 2.0 |
| Marlins | 24 | 20 | .545 | 2.0 |
| Phillies | 22 | 23 | .489 | 4.5 |
Last updated: 05/24/2012
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This is so untrue because Fox’s radar gun always adds 2-3 MPH to their pitches. I remember in ’06 they have had John Maine throwing 97.
there must have been other radar guns getting him at 95, theres no way the entire mets nation is fooled into thinking hes back throwing 95 just because of Fox’s radar gun
I apologize Metsfan, I thought you were agreeing with steamboat. You are correct, all teams use their own radar data, not Fox’s.
accepted
If the two of you had half a brain, you’d know the Mets use their own radar guns, and Manuel said his velocity was 95 in the post game. Stop deflating the positive news and being so negative geez.
But yesterday does not answer the adrenaline question. He saw the SAVE trophy sitting there for the picking and got fired up. What happens now when he is back to pitching in the 8th? If he doesn’t have that 95 mph fastball next time out, we will have to question desire. We still do not know if he can pitch reliably in the non-closer role. Until we see that, the jury is still out regarding JJ.
very good point
Thats a good point. I am hoping that he used that adrenaline excuse because he had no other explanation. But since the problem was diagnosed as an inflamed elbow and corrected by the medical team, there is hope he can sustain it.
As for the Fox radar, it’s been a big joke in the MLB for a few years, but I believe it has been fine since the begining of last season. I never once heard or saw any conclusive data comparing any of last years Fox radar readings varying widely from a teams reported readings like we did in 06 and 07.
I recall at some point, more than once, Billy Wagner used adrenaline as an excuse to explain why he was nowhere near as sharp in non-save situations than in save situations.
so maybe its not an excuse, most closers excel at what they do because they feed off that adrenaline rush, we just gotta hope putz can create some of that in the 8th from now on
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
MASK? ARE U QUESTIONING THE HOW OR THE WHAT? AS LONG AS FERANKIE GETS THE LEAD PASSED TO HIM, I’M NOT SO CONCERNED WITH THE HOW. ON THAT POINT HERE’S AN INTEREASTING LIST FOR ’09:
http://nationalpost.stats.com/mlb/getleaders.asp?rank=129
NOTICE WHAT’S MISSING? NO NYM! HOORAH!!
PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO WHICH TEAM MOST REPRESENTED…NYY! LMAO OVER & OVER
Okay then let’s see Putz reach 95 on SNY. You’re going to see him top off at 94 if anything.
We’ll be watching Ricky, but you are hoping that you are wrong, right? lol
I understand your guys’ argument, but I do think it’s a moot point. Honestly, I wouldn’t care if he was throwing twenty mile per hour dead fish as long as he gets people out.
forget 20 MPH, when he was throwing 90 MPH he was getting hit, for him to be succesful with his aproach he needs to be hitting 95 MPH consistently, hes a power pitcher
I hear what you are saying 345, but power pitchers have learned how to still be effective with location, and also late movement after losing their velocity. At this stage in his career, I’m sure you’re correct I was just trying to reiterate that velocity isn’t everything just ask Benitez.