The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Agent: Released by the Chargers at the beginning of the year … In search of a new team. • Morgan Trent (2005-08), DB, Free • Steve Schilling (2007-10), OL, Free Agent: A free agent in search of a team after being cut by Washington at the beginning of the season. • LaMarr Woodley (2003-06), OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Has recorded 10 solo tackles, four assists, two sacks, four tackles for loss, three quarterback hur- ries, an interception, a pass broken up and a fumble recovery in six starts for 4-3 Pittsburgh … Missed one game with a hamstring injury. • Charles Woodson (1995-97), CB, him another $6.5 million this season. "It was just a matter of time," Dia- mondbacks executive vice president and general manager Kevin Towers told MLB.com. "I think you all knew that eventually this would take place, based on the way J.J. has pitched for us the last couple of years. "For us, it's really a no-brainer. He Green Bay Packers: Has recorded 25 solo tackles, 13 assists, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, an interception, five pass broken up, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble in six starts for the 5-3 Packers. Major League Baseball DIAMONDBACKS PICK UP is truly a leader of our bullpen and one of the better closers in the Na- tional League. He is a big part of our ball club — setting the chemistry and make-up of our ball club." Putz finished 32-for-37 in save op- portunities in 2012, registering a 2.82 ERA after saving 45 games and boast- ing a 2.17 ERA for the club a year ear- lier. He was outstanding in the sum- mer months, posting a 2.25 ERA in June and not allowing a run in July or August. will remain in Arizona for another season. The Diamondbacks chose to pick up his option rather than buying him out for $1.5 million, guaranteeing CLOSER J.J. PUTZ'S OPTION Former Michigan pitcher J.J. Putz "I told J.J. … that I don't look at this short term," Towers said. "I believe in continuity, and it's hard to find those guys that are consistent at the back end. And for us to be successful go- ing forward in developing our young pitching, you've got to have that guy to record those last three outs. This is just kind of the first step. I hope he finishes his career in a Diamondbacks uniform." HEADLINERS Jamal Crawford • NBA Crawford scored 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, helping his new team, the Los Angeles Clippers, notch a 96-94 preseason victory over the Utah Jazz Oct. 17 after they once trailed by 15 points. "We're lucky to have somebody like Jamal. He's a great closer, " Former Michigan athletes in the news this month nated his matchup with talented Seattle defensive end Chris Clem- ons, helping lead the Lions to a 28-24 victory Oct. 28. In a reported 37 plays head to head, Clemons finished with only two hits, no quarterback pressures and no sacks, the Saginaw News reported. Jeff Backus • NFL The former Michigan tackle and longtime Detroit Lion domi- Towers said conversations with Putz on a longer-term deal likely would happen, which is music to the pitcher's ears. Putz and his family live in Phoenix, and he's reportedly said he'd like to finish his career with the Diamondbacks. "I'm ecstatic about coming back," Putz said. "It's something I was hoping for. When I got the call from [Towers], I was very relieved and very excited. We've got a lot of un- finished business to take care of here, and I'm looking forward to getting back into spring training and around the guys." MLB catcher Mike Matheny's first year as the St. Louis Cardinals' manager was a memorable one, but it could have been even better. The Cardinals rallied to make the play- offs, won at Atlanta in the National League wild card showdown, beat the favored Washington Nationals in five games in a NL Division Series and took a 3-1 lead on the eventual World Series champion San Francisco Giants in the NL Championship Series before the bottom fell out. The Cardinals lost three straight games in falling four games to three in the NLCS, and Matheny admitted to the Associated Press that he had lost plenty of sleep. "We're going into game five in a SHORT OF WORLD SERIES Former Michigan standout and ST. LOUIS FALL JUST MIKE MATHENY, Clippers center DeAndre Jordan told the Associated Press. "He knows how to play, he's a veteran and he's going to help us win a lot of games down the stretch this year. " turned from injury that sidelined him from the beginning of June through August and finished with a 1-0 record and 1.83 ERA. He didn't allow an earned run in September or October, pitching six innings and allowing only five hits while striking out 10. 120 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2012 Rich Hill • MLB The former Michigan pitcher and current Boston reliever re- really nice spot," Matheny said while watching a World Series game be- tween the Giants and Detroit Tigers. "You can't help but think about, 'That could be us right now.'" The Cardinals barely made the postseason as the second wild card, beat the Braves, erased a six-run defi- cit against the Nationals in game five of the NLDS … and then lost the last three games to San Francisco by a combined score of 20-1. Matheny, however, earned the re- spect of many after replacing legend- ary Tony La Russa. He hadn't had any managing experience when he took over the team last November. "I wish I could tell you there's a difference [between Matheny and LaRussa]," Giants manager Bruce Bo- chy said. "Mike's done a tremendous job, and that's a tough act to follow when you're coming in after Tony and