Phoenix Arizona Hotels

Putz-led bullpen helps Diamondbacks have fun in the sun

By Jason M. Millstein, Special for USA TODAY

Diamondbacks pitcher J.J. Putz, center, is surrounded by the entire bullpen. The secret of their recent success is that the bullpen does not take themselves too seriously. From left back row: Aaron Heilman, Esmerling Vasquez, Micah Owings, Bullpen catcher Jeff Motuzas, bullpen coach Glenn Sherlock. Front row: Bryan Shaw, Putz, Joe Paterson, David Hernandez.

He walks in and hears a noise coming from the closet. He slowly opens it and shrieks in horror. A man wearing black sweats, a ski mask and carrying an air rifle bursts out. He shoves Parra. Another man, hiding behind the bed, tackles him from behind. They bark orders.

Parra's mind starts to race. He looks at the burly arms wrapped around him and realizes he's seen the tattoos before. Those eyes behind the ski mask look familiar, too.

"J.J. Putz? Henry Blanco? Is that you? My own teammates?" he thinks.

Ah, just another day for the Diamondbacks, who have found a way to mix fun and winning in nearly equal doses.

Putz, a reliever on his fourth team in four years, brings the zaniness. Kirk Gibson , in his first full season as manager, provides the intensity. And general manager Kevin Towers , in his first year in Arizona, has brought the pieces together.

The result has been the National League 's biggest surprise. After losing 97 games and finishing last in the NL West a year ago, the Diamondbacks were 44-38 and 2½ games behind the division-leading and defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants .

"It's a total different vibe in here now," says center fielder Chris Young , who leads the team with 15 home runs. "Anytime there's a close game, we expect to win. It's a 180-degree turn than the way we used to feel.

"J.J. not only has made the bullpen better, but he's made everyone better, just because we're so much more relaxed.

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