Renteria Covets Spot In All-Star Lineup
By Joe Strauss Of The Post-Dispatch
June 30, 2004
PITTSBURGH -- Edgar Renteria is a three-time National League All-Star who last season became the first Colombian-born player voted into a starting lineup by fans.
In an era when many players downplay the midsummer classic and even seek excuses to dodge it while benefiting from incentive clauses tied to selection, the Cardinals shortstop is hopeful Internet balloting which officially ends at 10:59 p.m. Wednesday returns him to the stage.
"The All-Star Game and the World Series are where you want to be," Renteria said. "If you do well, you play in the All- Star Game. If your team plays well, you go to the World Series. That's what you want."
Renteria says he is past the lower back problems that hampered him for much of the season's first two months. His performance substantiates the claim.
Renteria entered Wednesday's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates on a seven-game hitting streak that included his fifth three- hit game this season in Tuesday's 3-0 loss. His .433 average against lefthanded pitching leads the National League.
A year after Renteria batted a career-high .330 with 100 RBIs, Tuesday's performance raised his average from .280 to .287, only .002 below his career average despite a frustrating start that left him at .260 as recently as June 9.
Renteria led the Houston Astros' Adam Everett by a mere six votes when updated voting was last announced on Monday. Voting in ballparks ended last Sunday.
Regardless of whether he is voted to start alongside first baseman Albert Pujols and third baseman Scott Rolen, Renteria is a virtual lock for selection by coaches, players and managers.
Still, the popular vote holds meaning to a player who remained one of the game's most underrated talents for much of his nine-year major-league career.
"It's why you play the game: to be the best player you can be and to play with the best," Renteria said before Wednesday's game.
"You play with the best in the All-Star Game. You're recognized as one of those guys, one of the best. You're playing with the best players in the National League against the best players in the American League. It's a good feeling, a feeling of pride. If you don't have that feeling, you should quit the game."
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