Stingy closer charitable off the field
Mariners right-hander J.J. Putz is known on the field as the final line of defense when Seattle has a late-game lead.Off the field is another story for the team's impregnable closer.
For someone so reluctant to give up even a run, Putz is a giving person when he's not wearing his uniform. In fact, his charitable activities seem to increase each year.
"The importance of giving back to the community is something I learned during my first year in the big leagues," Putz said. "Arthur Rhodes instilled it in me."
The Mariners organization takes tremendous pride in the amount of work players and employees due throughout the Northwest.
Mariners Care and its corporate sponsors helped provide $1.18 million in 2007, surpassing the $million mark for the eighth consecutive year. Since 2000, Mariners Care has helped raise $8.87 million to benefit primarily youth-oriented community service programs.
JJ did a lot of community service work when he was a Rattler in 2000 and he has carried it on in his career with the Mariners.
Putz has developed into one of the most reliable relievers in the game and ranks near the top among Mariners on the charitable-activity chart. He was co-chairman of the annual and hugely successful Cystic Fibrosis Golf Tournament, which raised $185,000 in June.
Putz also co-chaired the Moyer Foundation bowling tournament, went on the Mariners' pre-Spring Training caravan, and made appearances at the Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Esperanza and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
"It's always nice to go into the community, meet the fans and sign autographs," Putz said. "I try to do as much as time allows. Obviously, the most important thing is your own family. You also have to take the time necessary, baseball-wise. Whatever time you have left, you give back to the community."
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