MATTHEW BRUCE (MATT) MANTEI...he, his wife, Erica, and their son Hayden Matthew (9/12/02) make their off-season home in Stevensville, MI...graduated from River Valley
(MI) High School, earning All-State honors in baseball...signed as Seattle's 25th round selection in the 1991 June Draft...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.
2005
Once again, Mantei's health got the best of him ... his last outing of the season was on July 1. He had left ankle surgery 20 days later ... Was unscored on in 14 consecutive outings between April 22-May 27 ... This marked the third time in five seasons Mantei had a season shortened by an injury.
2004
Saw his season cut short after just 12 appearances due to right shoulder
tendinitis in May that eventually required season-ending surgery June 24...opened the
year as Arizona's closer and recorded a save in his April 7 season debut vs. Colorado...the
save was the 90th of his career and his 71st as a Diamondback, moving him past Byung-
Hyun Kim to the top of the club's all-time list...converted 4 of 7 save opportunities
overall...was placed on the disabled list May 14 (retroactive to May 9) with right shoulder
tendinitis...his return was slowed by soreness in the shoulder and a right calf strain, and
he was transferred to the 60-day disabled list June 10...underwent surgery June 24 to
repair a bone spur that was cutting into his labrum...overall, went 0-3 with 4 saves and a
11.81 ERA (14 ER/10.2 IP)...was selected as the club's Roberto Clemente Award winner
in recognition for his off-field charitable contributions.
2003
Matt returned to the closer role in 2003 after surrendering those duties due to "Tommy John" surgery in 2001 ... he posted 29 saves, giving him 70 rescues since joining the Diamondbacks in 1999, tied with Byung-Hyun Kim for tops in franchise history ... Mantei's 29 saves ranked seventh in the National League and gave him the third-highest single-season total in team annals (Kim, 36 in 2002 and Gregg Olson, 30 in 1998) ... Matt allowed a .191 average in 2003, sixth among NL relievers, including marks of .132 (second in NL) with runners on base and .088 (second NL) with runners in scoring position ... Matt struck out at least one batter in 42 of his 50 appearances on the year ... he also picked up a career-high 5 wins on the season, including the Diamondbacks' first 2 victories of the year on April 1 & 7 against Los Angeles, both extra-inning affairs ... he improved to 3-0 on April 16 when Arizona rallied for 3 runs in the bottom of the ninth against Colorado ... Matt set a team record with the 3 relief wins during April, a win total that matched his career high for an entire season (1998 with Florida) ... he notched saves on back-to-back days on April 19 and 20 in St. Louis, the first time he'd accomplished that since September 12-13, 2000 vs. L.A ... .his rescue on April 19 was his first since April 16, 2001 at Busch Stadium and his first career 2-inning save ... after blowing his first save opportunity of the year, Matt converted 7 straight chances from April 19-May 23 ... he fanned at least one batter in 15 consecutive games from April 16-May 27, totaling 25 K's in 17.1 innings ... his career-high fourth triumph came on May 19 vs. the Giants working a scoreless ninth followed by a bases-loaded walk to Rod Barajas forced home the winning run ... Mantei was charged with a blown save and a loss on May 27 at Pac Bell Park when the Giants rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the 13th inning ... Matt returned to Phoenix the next day and had an MRI performed on his sore right shoulder, eventually landing on the disabled list from May 28-June 29 due to right shoulder tendinitis ... he made a trio of rehab appearances with Triple-A Tucson, then dominated the opposition after returning to the big league club, retiring 29 of the first 32 batters he faced with 12 K's in 9.2 innings ... that jumpstarted a stretch of 20.2 consecutive scoreless frames from June 30-August 25, the longest streak by a D'Back hurler on the year and only 1.0 inning shy of Willie Banks' club record for consecutive shutout frames by a reliever (21.2, June 23-August 24, 1998) ... during Matt's streak he yielded only a .141 average (10-for-71) while fanning 28 ... he recorded his 50th save as a Diamondback when he preserved a 2-1 win at Dodger Stadium on July 6 ... he converted a career-best 14 straight save chances from July 4-August 29 ... the final save of that stretch saw Mantei surrender his first run since coming off the disabled list as San Francisco's Andres Galarraga smacked a solo home run, snapping a streak of 22.1 consecutive innings without allowing a homer ... Matt recorded a save in 8 straight trips to the mound from August 2-19, the second-longest streak of his career (9 rescues in 9 games from August 18-September 7, 1999) ... he totaled 10 rescues in August, a club record for saves in a month ... he retired the first batter faced in 13 straight games from July 13-August 19 ... his streak of 14 straight saves was snapped on September 4 at Kansas City as he allowed a run in the bottom of the ninth, though he wound up the winner in 10 ... after allowing a run in 3 straight outings, Matt returned to form with back-to-back rescues vs. the Dodgers on September 10 & 11 ... he picked up saves in his final 8 appearances of the season, establishing a club record for rescues during September ... his final save of the season came in Arizona's last victory of the year, September 26 vs. St. Louis, also his 70th save in a D'Back uniform ... prior to his stint on the disabled list, Mantei was 4-3 with a 4.37 ERA and 7 saves in 20 games while opponents hit .247 against him ... in 30 appearances after returning from the injury, he was 1-1 with a 1.38 ERA, 39 strikeouts and 22 saves in 23 chances as he limited the opposition to a .147 average (16-for-109) ... he had more success against left-handed batters (.155, 13-for-84, 28 K's) than he did right-handers (.218, 24-for-110, 40 K's).
How obtained:
Acquired from the Florida Marlins in exchange for pitchers Vladimir Nuñez and Brad Penny, and a player-to-be-named (outfielder Abraham Nuñez), July 9, 1999.
2002
Matt spent the previous off-season and nearly half of the regular season rehabilitating from "Tommy John" surgery on his right elbow before returning to action on June 28, nearly a year and 2 months since suffering the injury ... his rehab assignment began in El Paso with an inning of work in a start on May 11 vs. San Antonio ... after 4 appearances for the Diablos, he moved on to Tucson where a scoreless inning of work on May 20 initiated a 9-game, 10.0-inning streak without allowing an earned run ... overall he faced 44 batters, holding opponents to a .211 average (8-for-38) while issuing 4 walks, fanning 9 ... Matt was recalled from his rehab assignment and activated from the disabled list on June 27 ... he was summoned into a game the next night in Cleveland, entering with 2 outs in the fourth inning and retiring all 4 batters he faced in his first major league action since April 24, 2001, vs. Florida ... he allowed an earned run in his first 5.0 innings of relief spanning 6 games, giving up 3 hits and a walk with 3 K's ... Mantei worked 2.0 innings on July 15 at San Francisco, the first time since September 1, 2000, vs. Florida that he had worked at least 2.0 innings, a span of 20.0 innings in 23 appearances ... Matt did not allow a run in 8.0 innings over 8 outings and gave up only 4 hits from August 24-September 10 ... he was scored upon in only 2 of his last 13 trips to the hill, but those 2 outings accounted for 5 earned runs in just 1.2 innings ... as if the pennant race wasn't exciting enough, Matt and his wife, Erica, welcomed their first child when son Hayden Matthew was born on September 12 ... he limited the opposition to a .226 average with runners in scoring position (7-for-31) and was even stingier when there were 2 out, allowing just 3 hits in 16 at bats (.188). ... Matt's lone NLDS outing against the Redbirds came in Game #1, as 2 of 3 men reached via a walk and hit in his 0.1 of an inning, with both runs scoring after his departure.
2001
Opened the season on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his right biceps and returned to the D.L. from May 5-20 with shoulder weakness...his injury troubles began in spring training with an ankle problem that hampered him throughout camp and eventually led to the biceps and shoulder ailments.
Made 4 appearances between early-season D.L. stints, getting charged with a blown save on April 29 in Chicago, allowing a game-tying homer in the ninth inning, but winding up with the 7-4 victory when the D-Backs scored 3 times in the 10th.
Finally recorded his first save of the year on May 25 vs. Pittsburgh, despite allowing a run on a walk and hit.
Was 1-1 with 2 saves in 4 chances after 19 outings, allowing 18 earned runs in just 16.2 innings for a 9.72 ERA, before turning season around as the calendar went from June to July...beginning with a scoreless inning of relief at home against Cincinnati on July 2, Matt finished the year allowing just 5 earned runs in his last 28.2 innings for a 1.57 ERA in that span...finished the year by saving 15 of his last 16 opportunities, including 12 straight conversions from July 6-September 12.
Tied Byung-Hyun Kim's record for consecutive strikeouts by fanning 8 straight batters over 3 appearances from July 27 to August 3.
Recorded saves on back-to-back days for the first time on August 13 at Pittsburgh and August 14 at Philadelphia.
Finished the year by recording saves in 6 of his last 7 appearances, including 3 consecutive rescues to end the season.
Retired the first batter he faced in 16 of his last 19 appearances after nabbing the initial hitter in just 16 of his first 29 outings.
1999
One of the keys to Arizona's second half success actually took place just a couple of days prior to the All-Star break when the D'Backs acquired Matt from the Marlins, arriving in Bank One Ballpark on July 10 and immediately solidifying the bullpen. Ironically, the trade was consummated on July 9, the same night that 15,000 pins were being distributed in Pro Player Stadium in honor of Mantei, but while fans were receiving his likeness on a pin, the Diamondbacks got the real thing. The possessor of 10 saves during the first 3+ months of the year with Florida, Matt rescued 22 games in 25 tries for the Diamondbacks, dominating the opposition with 49 strikeouts in 29.0 innings after the trade, a 15.2 strikeout per 9-inning ratio. All told for the year, Matt fanned 99 men in 65.1 frames, a 13.6 ratio. Dubbed the Iceman during his stay in south Florida, Mantei recorded a save in his first appearance as a D'Back on July 11, working a scoreless ninth at home vs. Oakland in the finale prior to the All-Star break. Things didn't go quite as well in his second appearance, entering in the ninth of a 2-0 game vs. the Rangers on July 15 in Arlington, attempting to close the door on a potential Randy Johnson victory. After retiring the first 2 men, he surrendered what appeared to be a harmless walk, but 2 walks later the bases were loaded, then Mark McLemore's double unloaded them for a 3-2 Texas win. It was 1 of only 3 blown saves charged to Mantei, unfortunately each of them came in potential Big Unit wins. After the loss in Arlington, Matt recorded saves in his next 7 trips to the hill, his second best streak of the year. Following his second blown save on August 11 and an inning of work against Milwaukee 3 days later, the Iceman went on another roll, recording saves in 9 consecutive appearances in which he was virtually untouchable, allowing only 2 hits in 9.0 innings with 19 of the 27 outs coming via the strikeout. In fact, dating back to the inning of work in a non-save situation vs. the Brewers on August 14 through a save on Sept. 14 at home over the Pirates, Mantei tossed 12.0 consecutive shutout innings, allowing only 7 hits while recording 25 K's. The scoreless streak was snapped at home on Sept. 18, when he faced his former mates again trying to finish up for Johnson, but a Mike Lowell 3-run homer capped a 4-run inning for the Fish. Fortunately, the D'Backs tied the game in the ninth, then won it on Luis Gonzalez's 2-run homer in the 10th. Matt wrapped up the year with 4 scoreless relief appearances, earning 3 saves. His 21 saves after the All-Star break tied John Rocker for the third most in the majors, trailing Mariano Rivera and Ugueth Urbina, who each had 22. Mantei recorded at least 1 strikeout in 28 of his 30 appearances with Arizona, including a streak of 19 consecutive outings from August 8-Sept. 28, totaling 34 K's in 17.1 innings. All told, he was 32-for-37 in save situations during the '99 season, rescuing 10 of 12 while a member for the Marlins. During his stint with the D'Backs, Matt held opposing lefthanded hitters to a .140 average, surrendering just 7 hits in 50 at bats. Overall, opposing hitters finished with a composite .189 average against the Iceman, collecting 44 hits in 233 at bats. While with Florida, Matt had a 5-strikeout performance on May 3 against Milwaukee.
1998
Started the year with Charlotte (AAA), making 16 appearances before May 20 recall to the Marlins, appearing that night with an inning against the Diamondbacks. Gave up only 1 earned run in first 11 outings after recall, spanning 14.0 innings (0.64 ERA). Led the Marlins with 9 saves, earning club Rolaids Relief Man Award. Earned first win on June 12 vs. the Mets. Was disabled from August 19-September 4 with a right ankle sprain.
1997
Opened the year on the D.L. following off-season rotator cuff surgery. Was transferred to the 60-day list on May 16. Appeared in 9 minor league games as part of rehab work.
1996
Made the Marlins opening day roster and fanned 24 in his first 16.0 innings of year. Earned first big league win on May 19 at Chicago, tossing a scoreless 10th inning. Was optioned to AAA just 8 days later, then was recalled on June 21, but placed on the D.L. with a sore right shoulder.
1995
Was on the D.L. at the outset due to off-season back strain. Activated on June 18 and made major league debut that day in Philly, working an inning with a walk. Suffered first big league loss on July 6 at St. Louis.
1994
Spent entire season with Appleton in the Mariners chain, leading the club with 26 saves and 2.06 ERA. Left unprotected by Seattle, he was acquired by Florida in the Rule 5 draft on December 5.
1993
Led the Northwest League with 12 saves for Bellingham. Earned the save on August 16 by striking out the side in the ninth inning of a 1-0 win over Spokane in Bellingham's annual game in the Kingdome. Was named the righthanded relief pitcher on the league's All-Star team and earned Rolaids Relief Man-of-the-Year honors for the league. Also named the ninth major league prospect by Baseball America.
