Matt Mantei
From SoSH
| Born: | July 7, 1973 |
| Birthplace: | Tampa, Florida |
| Hometown: | Stevensville, Michigan |
| Height: | 6' 1" |
| Weight: | 190 lbs |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | 1991: 25th Rd. by the Seattle Mariners |
| College: | None |
| High School: | River Valley HS (MI) |
| Other Teams: | Florida Marlins '95-'96, '98-'99 Arizona D'backs 1999-2004 |
| Years with Boston: | 2005 |
Matthew Bruce Mantei (born July 7, 1973 in Tampa, Florida) is an oft-injured reliever last seen pitching at Triple-A Toledo.
Contents |
Overall Career
Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 1991, Mantei made his major league debut with the Florida Marlins in 1995 as a 21 year old. After missing the 1997 season following rotator cuff surgery, a mid-season trade in 1999 sent Mantei to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Between Florida and Arizona, Mantei set career highs in games (65), saves (32), innings pitched (65.1) and strikeouts (99). In 2000, Mantei picked up 17 saves but pitched only 7 innings in 2001 before needing Tommy John surgery.
In 2003 Mantei looked like he had regained his form and fitness, converting 29 of 32 save opportunities and limiting opposing hitters to a .191 average in 55 innings. However the injury bug bit again in 2004 as Matt was limited to just 10.2 innings before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
Mantei signed with the Boston Red Sox on December 8, 2004, but it wasn't long before he was injured again. While backing up third base in a game against the Baltimore Orioles, Mantei sustained a high-grade sprained ligament in his ankle. Despite the injury, he continued to pitch until he couldn't take the pain or inefficiency any longer. His breaking point came in a 15-2 loss against the Blue Jays, when he walked four of the six batters he faced, throwing only 13 of 32 pitches for strikes. On July 2, 2005, Mantei was placed on the disabled list for the remainder of the year.
In 2006, attempting a comeback, Mantei was invited to spring training by the Detroit Tigers, but after suffering more arm troubles early in the spring, he left camp and appears to be out of baseball permanently.
Moments in the Sun
- Often hurt, always bad...
- Lead the Arizona Diamondbacks in Saves in 2003 with 29.
Awards
- 1993 Northwest League All-Star
- 1994 Midwest League All-Star
Trivia
- News of his trade from the Marlins to the Diamondbacks in July 1999 made then Marlins owner John Henry cry.
- Is one of many major league players involved with Garth Brooks' Teammates for Kids Foundation.
- Was Arizona's nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2004.
- Reeled off 14 consecutive scoreless appearances for Boston between April 22 and May 27.
Transactions
- June 3, 1991: Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 25th round of the 1991 amateur draft.
- December 5, 1994: Drafted by the Florida Marlins from the Seattle Mariners in the 1994 rule V draft.
- December 21, 1997: Granted Free Agency.
- December 21, 1997: Signed as a Free Agent with the Florida Marlins.
- July 8, 1999: Traded by the Florida Marlins to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Abraham Nunez (PTBNL), Vladimir Nunez, and Brad Penny.
- October 29, 2004: Granted Free Agency.
- December 8, 2004: Signed as a Free Agent with the Boston Red Sox.
- November 1, 2005: Granted Free Agency.
- January 10, 2006: Signed as a Free Agent with the Detroit Tigers.
- March 17, 2006: Released by the Detroit Tigers.
- April 9, 2006: Signed as a Free Agent with the Detroit Tigers.
- May 25, 2006: Released by the Detroit Tigers.
External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
- Matt Mantei at ESPN.com
