JJ Putz will start a game in spring training, like Mo did for Mel--Seattle PI

PEORIA, Ariz. -- "J.J. Putz's specialty is the ninth inning, but the Mariners closer is going to start a game before spring training ends....

• ...one experiment Seattle pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre likes is to have his closer start a game during the final two weeks of the spring.

So Saturday in a minor league game, Putz will start for the first time in six years. Stottlemyre said it's the best way to make sure his closer has his arm fully stretched out for the season....

• "When I was with the Yankees, I used to have (closer) Mariano Rivera make one start a spring," Stottlemyre said. "I've always felt that by giving the closer that experience, he gets to throw his second and third pitches a lot and he can work on building up his arm strength and repeating innings."

Rivera has been among the best closers in the game for a decade"

• Excuse me, Mr.BBWAA voter Hickey. You're now on record for another whopper.

"Among" the best closers (or relievers) "IN THE GAME FOR A DECADE?"

• *Rivera is the ONLY closer who's been doing it continuously for a decade, first of all. So he's not "among" anyone else. AND, he's pitched in every regular and post season of all those years--ouch (I know you BBWAA guys are fighting hard to keep post season out of 'closer' evaluations-sorry. It's cheating a player out of his career but who ever questions you?).

*Your pal down the coast with the cheap saves was off most of 2003 for surgery. You apparently don't recall, but Mariano pitched his team to the World Series that year, including 3 consecutive scoreless innings in Game 7 of the ALCS, of which he was MVP.

• (Hickey, PI): "...and Putz has just two seasons as a closer under his belt. But Stottlemyre sees much of Rivera, 38, in Putz, 31.

• Both throw hard, have a devastating finishing pitch and have the complete confidence of team and fans that when he's in the game, the game's over....

"Mel's very, very good at seeing what you need and knowing where you're at," Putz said. "It's not like I've never started before. It's just another way to get ready for the season.""

• From Seattle P-I article by John Hickey, "Now Starting for the M's, JJ Putz?" 3/16/08

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