1. I noticed a small item in the Detroit Free Press on how good Matt Mantei looks in his quest to return to the majors. Mantei is still just 34, but hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2005 due to a long history of arm problems. The Tigers have a powerhouse lineup and a strong looking rotation. The key very well may be the quality and depth of their pen. Anyway, seeing Mantei’s name, I looked it up and from 1998-2003 (he was mostly hurt in 2001 when his Diamondbacks nevertheless won the World Series), he was overpowering. I ran a search on the best strikeout per nine innings relievers (at least 200 appearances) for that period and the top 10 is fascinating:

1) Billy Wagner (12.2)

2) John Rocker (11.7)

3) Armando Benitez (11.6)

4) Mantei (11.4)

5) Ugueth Urbina (11.3)

6) Dan Plesac (10.8)

7) Robb Nen (10.8)

8) Tom Gordon (10.7)

9) Octavio Dotel (10.6)

10) Scott Williamson (10.5)

Here is an amazing part, Mariano Rivera was 64th on this list at 7.4, ranked between Steve Karsay (7.5) and Jose Mesa (7.4).

2. Who do you think has played more games as a Yankee, Wade Boggs or Alex Rodriguez? I was surprised that it was A-Rod at 629 to 602. And when you think that he has a new 10-year extension, this is just another category that Rodriguez is going to zoom up over the years. Would you believe that if A-Rod hits 50 homers this year, he would have one more with the Yankees (223) than Don Mattingly hit?

3. Orlando Hernandez is hurting. In other news, the sun rose in the East today.