Cards Shortstop Earns Comparisons To Elite
By Joe Strauss Post-Dispatch
02/25/2004
JUPITER, Fla. - Edgar Renteria always has been among the most respected Cardinals players. Yet acclaim for the Cardinals shortstop largely remained a Midwest and South Florida phenomenon until last season.
Blessed with a sharp sense of humor, Renteria largely confines his wit to teammates.
Intelligent and analytical, the native of Colombia has felt ill at ease confiding in outsiders because of an accent he believes may easily lead to misunderstanding.
Manager Tony La Russa has long referred to Renteria as "The Captain," offering him the first toast following the Redbirds' emotional division-clinching win in 2002. Chicago Cubs skipper Dusty Baker considers Renteria as savvy as any player in the league. A Colombian national hero in 1997 who has quietly operated a baseball academy in his homeland for the past four years, Renteria walked into soggy Roger Dean Stadium on Wednesday unmistakably comfortable with his standing, his much-discussed contract status, his new teammates and his accomplishments last season. He made the All-Star team and earned a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger for the second consecutive year.
"It's nice to be recognized," Renteria said Wednesday after a late-morning downpour cut short camp's first official workout for position players. "It's nice to be recognized when you do a good job on the field and when you work hard. That's what I want people to think of me: a guy who works hard every day and plays hard every day."
Only 28, Renteria already has played eight complete seasons. He is entering the final season of a five-year, $26 million contract and is already the subject of speculation in places including Boston, where Nomar Garciaparra is scheduled to join him in free agency after this season.
The Cardinals want to retain Renteria, who says he has instructed his agent not to bother him with negotiations.
"I don't think about my contract. I only think about baseball," he said.
"I take it as another season. I want to be in there every day," he added. "I'm going to play like I play every year. I'm not going to change anything. No pressure. To me, it's another season."
Two springs ago, comparisons were most easily drawn between Renteria and then-San Francisco Giants shortstop Rich Aurilia, whose numbers were far superior to Renteria's. This year most comparisons are made with the game's elite.
Renteria's value escalated dramatically last season as he won a second consecutive Gold Glove and a third Silver Slugger Award and finished fourth in the league with a .330 batting average. Renteria hit .391 against lefthanded pitching, .500 with the bases loaded and .317 with runners in scoring position. Renteria struck out 54 times; in 2001, he struck out 73 times in 94 fewer at-bats. His 100 RBIs last season broke the club record at his position of 82, set by Doc Lavan in 1921 and tied by Renteria in 2002. He also had 13 home runs.
Before last season, Renteria carried a career .283 batting average and managed 60 home runs in seven major-league seasons. He averaged less than 70 RBIs in his first four seasons in St. Louis.
Falling only six hits shy of 200 and four runs short of 100, Renteria put together arguably the best season by a major-league shortstop other than American League Most Valuable Player Alex Rodriguez.
Renteria hit 29 points higher than Garciaparra last season while managing only five fewer RBIs in 71 fewer at-bats than his AL counterpart.
La Russa has managed two Rookie of the Year shortstops, Ozzie Guillen and Walt Weiss, but didn't hesitate in describing Renteria's 2003 as the best season he has seen by a shortstop.
A year younger than New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Renteria has out-hit the $189 million star the past two seasons. Renteria (1,131) and Jeter (1,126) have taken virtually the same number of at-bats the last two seasons. In that span, Renteria owns 24 home runs, 56 stolen bases, 110 extra-base hits, 172 runs scored and 183 RBIs compared to Jeter's 28 home runs, 43 stolen bases, 82 extra-base hits, 211 runs and 127 RBIs. (Jeter missed more than 40 games last season with a shoulder injury.)
La Russa said Renteria "really asserted himself" the past two seasons. That is, coincidentally, the same amount of time that has passed since Renteria was last the center of trade speculation. La Russa has no doubt where Renteria's priorities will be as he enters the last year of his contract. "I know he'll be true to himself and everyone on the team," La Russa said.
Since the Cardinals lack a proven leadoff hitter, Renteria and his .394 on-base percentage and his 34 steals in 41 attempts could be as good a fit as Jeter at or near the top of a lineup.
Jeter typically hits second. But Renteria's preference is to hit behind mashers Jim Edmonds, Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen.
"Tony knows if he needs me as the leadoff man, I'll be there," Renteria said. "If he needs me second, I'll be there. If he needs me seventh, whatever, I won't have a problem with it."
Said La Russa, "When you have somebody with that kind production ... I guarantee you right now it would be hard to replace him in that sixth or seventh spot."
Renteria likes moments of pressure. He has ever since he ended the 1997 World Series with an 11th-inning single for the Florida Marlins.
"I like (hitting down in the order). I like it better," said Renteria, who batted second nine times, third six times and cleanup six times last season. "I'll do whatever it takes to help my team. Whatever it takes, I'll be there."
As for where he sees himself in 2005, Renteria said, "I'd love to stay in St. Louis. I like it there. I've already got everything there."
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