Mantei wants to pay his debt to team

Bob McManaman and Jose E. Garcia
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 22, 2004 12:00 AM

Even if his recovery from his latest arm injury goes perfectly, Matt
Mantei knows there probably won't be a long list of teams lining up to
offer him a contract when he becomes a free agent this fall.

His history of arm trouble will likely see to that.

But that doesn't mean his career is over and it doesn't necessarily
mean his days are numbered in Arizona. The right-hander, who lost his
job earlier this season as the Diamondbacks' closer, revealed
Wednesday he'd like to re-sign with the club and would be willing to
play for a cheaper price than the $7 million he's getting this season.

"I feel like I owe the team my services for a year and actually do
something for them," he said. "They've treated me like a king since
I've been here, and I feel like I owe them. We'll see what they have
to say about it."

Mantei, 31, underwent shoulder surgery in late June and is hopeful he
can resume pitching in another month. He is wary of more arm problems,
however, and wonders if another major setback should make him think
twice about his career.

"I can't keep doing this to myself every year," he said. "I want to be
able to play with my son when I'm 40 years old. I want to be able to
throw the ball around with him."

"sniper34" <azsnpr34.RemoveThis@aol.com> wrote in message
news:78d60888.0407221523.6a458770@posting.google.com...

> The right-hander, who lost his
> job earlier this season as the Diamondbacks' closer, revealed
> Wednesday he'd like to re-sign with the club and would be willing to
> play for a cheaper price than the $7 million he's getting this season.

What a swell guy.

> "I feel like I owe the team my services for a year and actually do
> something for them," he said. "They've treated me like a king since
> I've been here, and I feel like I owe them. We'll see what they have
> to say about it."

I'm thinking something along the lines of..... "BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!"

But that's just me.....