Putz says 2011 D-backs epitomized ‘team’

The 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks were never out of a game.

With more come-from-behind victories than anyone else in
the majors — by a wide margin — Arizona found new ways
to win on what seemed like a nightly basis.

That style, while stressful, also showed something about
the players that donned Sedona Red.

“I think the Diamondbacks last year were the epitome of a
team,” closer J.J. Putz told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and
Wolf at FanFest Saturday. “I think everybody genuinely
cared about everybody last year and believed in one
another.”

Putz said the mentality began in spring training, and
while he could not remember how many come-from-behind
wins the team had (there were 48), the season
showed the team was not short on character.

“From top to bottom, everybody just believed and nobody
ever gave up,” he said. “Until that thing said ‘final’ we
felt like we were still in every single game.”

But if the Diamondbacks were everyone’s favorite underdog
last season, they enter 2012 instead with a target on
their backs.

And, if they hope to repeat as NL West champs
and go even further in the playoffs, Putz and the bullpen
will have to be dominant once again.

“For me, there’s really a fine line for error; every pitch
matters,” Putz said of what ninth innings are like.
“Especially in a one-run game, you can’t just go up there
trying to work on things or trying to get cute, you just
have to stick to your strengths and pound the strike
zone.”

Putz saved a career-best 45 games last season and posted
an ERA of 2.17. If he can repeat that performance in 2012,
odds are good the D-backs will repeat theirs as well.

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