I interviewed San Diego Padres catcher Mike Piazza for my Sunday column about how he's adjusting to life as a player with a not quite full-time role. He had some interesting things to say, and a healthy attitude about growing older. You can find the column on the website; here are some audio files:

Piazza on being 37: click here

Piazza on criticism about his defense: click here

Here are my weekly power rankings, a day earlier than what the print subscribers are getting.

TEAM (last week)
1. Detroit (7) – Who knew the best team from the Motor City in May is not Pistons or Redwings but Tigers?
2. St. Louis (4) – No beating around the Busch, the Cardinals love playing in new home (18-7).
3. Chicago White Sox (1) – Guillen quote of the week: “If we played the way the Cubs played, there would be 2,000 people in the ballpark.”
4. Cincinnati (3) – Good to see ya: Griffey delivers two game-winning hits in first week back.
5. Boston (5) – J.T. Snow wants a trade? News to us that he has not already retired.
6. New York Mets (2) – Reality bites: Better Cardinals team took 2-of-3 from Mets.
7. San Diego (11) – Imagine how good they could be if they ever figured out how to win at Petco Park.
8. New York Yankees (6) – To think Carl Pavano, who’s still hurt, could have been Mariners’ problem.
9. Philadelphia (9) – Rookie pitcher Cole Hamels looks to have the right stuff.
10. Toronto (13) – So who is their “rival” know that the Expos are no more?
11. Arizona (10) – BoMel is doing swell with this bunch.
12. Colorado (8) – The Rockies have peaked and are headed back down the mountain.
13. Houston (12) – Maybe they need Roger Clemens more than originally thought.
14. Milwaukee (17) – A little salt in the wounds: Jeff Cirillo is hitting .361.
15. Oakland (14) – When it comes to interleague play, no one is better than A’s.
16. Atlanta (23) – Hold that obit; the Braves aren’t dead and buried yet.
17. Texas (15) – Bold prediction: If they land Clemens they’ll win the AL West.
18. Los Angeles Dodgers (16) ¬– Loser of “Freeway Series” must walk to stadium for a week.
19. San Francisco (20) – As tired as Bonds is we’re even more tired of him.
20. Cleveland Indians (18) – Much like last season, the Indians are digging themselves a deep hole.
21. Baltimore (26) – Seems like ancient history when this franchise won games because of its pitching and defense.
22. Chicago Cubs (19) – New TV show stars Dusty Baker as The Fall Guy.
23. Tampa Bay (25) – Cool rule: Fans allowed to bring food and beverages into Tropicana Field.
24. Los Angeles Angels (22) – Team’s Triple-A callups were more suspect than prospect.
25. Minnesota (21) – Brad Radke’s ERA – 7.20 – looks like a bad earthquake.
26. Seattle (24) – Earned all F’s playing against A’s.
27. Pittsburgh (29) – At least fans have All-Star Game on July 11 to look forward to.
28. Washington (27) – Like politician’s speech, ‘Battle of the Beltway’ matchup with Orioles sounds a lot better than it is.
29. Florida (30) – Fish tacos? Cancel that move to San Antonio, at least for now.
30. Kansas City – Do you think their fans took any satisfaction in having owner David Glass promise to make some changes?

The Mariners, as expected, activated Julio Mateo from the disabled list. Another move, designating outfielder Matt Lawton for assignment and recalling Mike Morse, was not.

It's a logical move even if Morse isn't tearing the cover off the ball at Tacoma (hitting just .227). The Mariners have been hamstrung with their bench because only one player, Willie Bloomquist, can play the middle infield positions. Morse, a natural shortstop, has been playing all over in Tacoma, which will help the Mariners out. Mariners GM Bill Bavasi talks about Morse and what this means to the second-year player: click here to listen