Renteria Adds To A Great Season
Becomes first NL shortstop since 1985 with 100 RBIs
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
September 27, 2003
PHOENIX -- In the third inning of a game between two out-of-contention teams, the most historically significant play -- the only one? -- was a fielder's choice in the third inning.
When Edgar Renteria grounded to shortstop with two men on, Albert Pujols scored, and Renteria became the first National League shortstop in 18 years with 100 RBIs in a season. Hubie Brooks was the last to do it, tallying 100 RBIs for the Expos in 1985. Renteria has long since obliterated his own team record for RBIs by a shortstop; now he's just climbing the ladder.
"I hit sixth, seventh, behind great hitters," he said. "My teammates gave me the chance. I took the chances they gave to me."
The last 12 months have seen Renteria vault from well-kept secret to indisputably the best shortstop in the league. Last fall, he claimed his first Gold Glove. In July, he earned his first All-Star start -- and in so doing, became the first Colombian elected to the starting lineup. Now this.
"He's hit .330 with 100 RBIs, a bunch of stolen bases, outstanding defense," said manager Tony La Russa. "What a year he's had."
Utilityman Eduardo Perez just marvels at his teammate's accomplishments and ability.
"That's priceless," Perez said. "That's a Mastercard commercial, right there."
Renteria, one of the most popular Cardinals, takes pride in what he's done, but deflects much of the credit. After all, without people to drive in, RBIs are hard to come by.
"My goal is always the same thing, to help the team to win," he said. "That's my goal every year. I don't put pressure on myself. If I say I'm trying to get 100 RBIs, that's a lot of pressure. One hundred RBIs is not easy. You have to battle every day. This year I got lucky and I did it."
In previous years, Renteria has bounced between the No. 2 spot in the batting order and sixth or seventh. This season, La Russa has used him almost exclusively in the No. 6 and 7 positions, where he has more RBI chances. That's not an accident.
"He has an aptitude for driving in runs," La Russa said. "Because he's smart. He can hit ground balls down the third base line or hit line drives to right field. That's what the good hitters do. They hit to a wide field. I didn't know what his RBI total would be, but I know he has that ability. And that's why he hits down there.
"He could hit second. But not many guys have that ability to drive in that many runs."
Sterling Hitchcock, who recorded the win on Saturday thanks in part to Renteria's ribbie, knew what the soft-spoken shortstop was capable of. But Hitchcock has still been impressed with his new teammate since a trade brought him from New York.
"Seeing him play every day, you really get an appreciation," Hitchcock said. "He does some special things with the bat. His defense is second to none. He's a great player, and he's had a great year. That's something to definitely be proud of."
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