Cardinals Have An Ace In Shortstop
Phil Theobald
May 17, 2003
As if the Chicago Cubs haven't had enough problems the past five seasons with the people who come to the plate for the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, now Edgar Renteria comes on strong.
Not that the quiet shortstop has been a slouch at-bat or afield. "Edgar had a great season last year," pointed out Fernando Vina, who plays second base for the Cardinals.
Agreed. A .305 batting average - after a career-low .260 campaign - and a first Rawlings Gold Glove Award did serve notice that Renteria was more than just a journeyman infielder.
Is superstardom the next step?
"I'm not at all surprised by Renteria's numbers this year," said St. Louis hitting coach Mitchel Page. "He's worked hard, and the more you play the more you should improve, especially if you work hard."
Renteria came into the Friday night opener of a four-game series between the rival Cardinals and Cubs with a National League-leading .367 batting average.
And, of course, on the night I chose to write a column about him, he went 0-for-4. "I'll take that for a win any night," he said following a 7-4 victory for the Cardinals.
I believe him. I'm also starting to believe, what with 29 St. Louis wins in the last 35 games played against Chicago, that the Cards own the Cubs in Busch Stadium.
"That's a bad statement," said St. Louis manager Tony La Russa after a game played in front of far more empty seats than you normally see when these two teams meet. "You could make an enemy of me by saying that."
Lighten up, Tony. I realize it's only May and your team is only a game over .500 - same as this date last year - and there are a lot of games left against the Cubs.
Now, more about Renteria. He was charged with 19 errors last season, down five from 2001, and so far this year has committed only three.
"A-Rod, Jeter . . . Edgar can play with those guys," said Page. "Right now, in my opinion he's the best shortstop in the National League."
Renteria's glove work, however, isn't what has Cardinal fans buzzing in anticipation every time the quiet Colombian leaves the dugout.
He's on a pace to hit 21 home runs with 132 runs batted in this season - and no shortstop in Cardinals history has ever reached the 20-homer, 100-RBI plateau.
You wonder what Renteria's first seven years in the big leagues would have been if he'd shown a little more dedication.
"Before, in the off-season, I did nothing," he admitted to Joe Strauss, Cardinals beat writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I didn't condition myself. I did everything in spring training."
Then pitcher Woody Williams arrived in St. Louis in August 2001, not long after Renteria's name was mentioned almost daily in trade rumors - and Williams promptly told his new teammate how much better he could be.
Renteria took the constructive criticism to heart.
"I just want to play the game right," he said.
Can he win a batting championship? "In baseball, anything is possible," said Renteria, who came out of the postgame training room poking himself in the groin region - but denied any physical discomfort had anything to do with the 0-for-4.
"I had the same swing I always do," he said.
Renteria seemed surprised a writer was waiting for him, because his habit has been to stay in the background.
He's had plenty of attention these first six weeks of the season. "I'm enjoying it," he said. "I'm proud of myself for what I have accomplished so far."
Said Vina, who was on base four times to set the table for the St. Louis offense, "Edgar is a solid professional. He's getting better and better, and that's what he'll keep doing."
Renteria overheard the praise and smiled, with the same smile he's had in the past when he was the subject of trade rumors.
"Any time I go 0-for-4 and we win, I'm happy," he said. "I just want to help when I can."
No one who plays for a team that doesn't own the Cubs at Busch Stadium could have said it better.
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