"His temperament fits the role of closer," Price said.

"He is a great story. Last year was a breakout year for him. You would never know the (game) circumstances by his body language."

Price said he also appreciates that, in an age of on-field celebrations for perhaps unwarranted occasions, Lyon is a throwback to an earlier era. "He brings the game back to an element I admire," Price said.

Lyon said Price "doesn't teach his way. He helps you in your way. He understands how to make everyone better."

Off the field, Lyon, who turns 29 on Aug. 10, is a leader in one of the youngest clubs in the majors.

"He is probably the most laid-back closer I have ever seen," said Reynolds, the second-year infielder. "Off the field, he chills and is laid back. He gives rookies some crap. I should know."

Lyon, a prep teammate with catcher John Buck of the Royals, was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 14th round and made his pro debut for Class A Queens in 2000. He made his Major League debut with the Blue Jays in 2001, when he was 5-4 with an ERA of 4.29 in 11 starts.

He was 1-4, 6.53 in 15 games (10 starts) in 2002 with Toronto. In October of that year, he was acquired off waivers by Boston and the Red Sox turned him into a reliever.

Lyon was 4-6, 4.12 with nine saves in 49 games out of the bullpen for the Red Sox in 2003. After the season, he was traded to Arizona with lefty pitcher Casey Fossum and Jorge de la Rosa and a player to be named later (Michael Goss) in exchange for pitcher Curt Schilling.

He pitched in six games in the minors in 2004 for Tucson but did not pitch for Arizona. Lyon was on the disabled list from April 3 through the remainder of the season after nerve transplant surgery in his right elbow that March.

Lyon came back to pitch for the Diamondbacks in 2005, when he posted a record of 0-2, 6.44 with 14 saves in 32 games out of the bullpen. He was on the disabled list from May 13 to Aug. 12 with a right elbow strain.

He was 2-4, 3.89 with no saves in 68 games out of the bullpen in 2006 and 6-4, 2.68 with two saves in 73 games out of the pen last season.

Now he is back in a role he relishes — as a closer.

"The atmosphere," Lyon said, "is just an exciting part of the game to be a part of."