Renteria Says He Wanted Out
He Cites Infield As Problem Area
By Chris Snow, Globe Staff And Luis Andres Henao, Globe Correspondent
December 12, 2005
Edgar Renteria last night acknowledged that he "wanted out of
Boston," but
not because of the Boston fans (he called them "more demanding" than
those in
St. Louis but said he came to appreciate it) or his comfort level with
the
American League (he said it was increasing). Rather, he cited the
Fenway
infield, which he said contributed to his major league-leading 30
errors.
"It's one of the main reasons why I didn't feel comfortable," he
said,
speaking in Spanish yesterday when reached by phone in Miami.
"I worked a lot last year to feel comfortable and just couldn't.
It's one of
the reasons why I wanted out of Boston."
He did not cite any other reasons for wanting to be moved.
"The ball bounces too much in the field of the shortstop, where I
play," he
said. "The field is not good like other stadiums. One day it's bad, the
next
day, it's worse . . . I was uncomfortable the whole year."
The 30-year-old shortstop also confirmed last night that he dealt
with back
and leg injuries this season, which he said limited him to "50 to 60
percent" at
times, though he didn't say how much of the season he spent coping with
those
injuries.
Renteria said he "pulled [his] lower back and leg" catching a
ground ball,
though he wasn't specific as to when that occurred. He was clear in
that it
handicapped him.
"It was really uncomfortable," he said. "It is not the same thing
to play at
100 percent than at 50 or 60 percent. But I think that God doesn't let
his
children get roughed up."
He laughed, then continued.
"Well, look, I tried a year and I didn't do as well as I have
always done in
baseball, and right there, [God] pulled me out. I have to thank Boston
and
Atlanta for asking about me. Now I go to a good city to play baseball
and to be
spiritually calm.
"It's not the same playing injured than playing 100 percent,"
said Renteria,
who was such a disappointment that the club dealt him to Atlanta last
week for a
top prospect and cash, absorbing $22 million of his four-year, $40
million
contract, plus a $1 million bonus for dealing him. "But I don't excuse
my errors
on the physical injuries.
"I think I gave them a lesson of what a baseball player is. That
regardless
of any little thing that hurts him, he can still play. I am that kind
of
baseball player that doesn't get hurt with any little thing. I like
playing
instead. I like helping my team win and we made it [to the postseason].
We
couldn't accomplish the objective of getting a World Series and a ring.
But all
of that is affected when you are injured."
Renteria said, "I don't feel proud [of my season]. But I feel I
got
experience. This had never happened to me and now I know what other
ballplayers
go through when they have this kind of season almost every year."
Asked if he regrets ever coming to Boston, the Colombian-born
player said,
"Never, never. Whoever says that is wrong, because Boston is one of the
best
cities to play in."
Did he find the fans excessively demanding? "At the beginning I
felt a little
bit uncomfortable, but after the first half I took a liking to it," he
said.
"The city fascinated me," added Renteria. "I really liked it. I
think it's
one of the best cities to live in. But that's how the sport is. Today
we are
somewhere and tomorrow we could be playing in Japan. You have to try to
live the
best in every city and try to get as much experience as you can."
Renteria, who looked older and slower than his age last season,
has been
working with a personal trainer since November.
"I'm still training hard and preparing myself for what may come
next year,"
he said. "To demonstrate that I can, that I still can [play at a high
level]."
He does believe he's better suited to the NL.
"I feel more comfortable in the National League because I played
for nine
years in the National League," he said. "But in the American League, I
was
starting to feel more comfortable.
"I feel very happy. I know the National League very well and
Atlanta is a
great organization. The truth is that I am content. Not because I left
Boston,
but because I'm going to a team like Atlanta."
What would he tell the Boston fans?
"I would say, `Thank you. Thank you very much,' " he said. "I
know they
trusted me the first time they signed me. And it hurts me that we
couldn't make
it to the World Series and win a ring, but that's baseball. And they
understand
that's baseball. This is a business and we all have to move forward."
Though the possibility seems remote, Renteria said he hoped he
could play
here again.
"I hope I'm given the chance before I retire," he said.
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