Renteria Not Short On Ability
Peter Botte
Daily News Sports Writer
October 16, 2000
Much of the commotion following Game 1 of the NL Championship Series surrounded Tony La Russa's decision to let shortstop Edgar Renteria hit for himself as the tying run at the plate in the seventh inning.
Of course, that had more to do with Mark McGwire sitting in the dugout with a bat in his hands and no other opportunity to use it.
But Renteria has shown throughout the first three games of the series exactly why La Russa exhibits such confidence in him, totaling six hits and three RBI entering last night's Game 4.
"He's the unsung hero on this team," McGwire said following the Cards' 8-2 Game 3 win. "Nobody ever talks about Edgar. He had the big hit in the (1997) World Series for the Marlins. He's been here before."
Renteria, a flashy shortstop who finished second on the Cards with 76 RBI this season, is only 25 years old despite completing his fifth season in the majors.
Renteria, who is from Colombia, is largely remembered for delivering the hit McGwire referred to - the game-winning single for the Florida Marlins in the 10th inning of Game 7 of the '97 World Series against Cleveland.
But La Russa simply thinks of Renteria as "one of our best clutch hitters," which explains why the Cards' No. 2 hitter was permitted to bat as the tying run with McGwire on the bench in the seventh inning of a huge October game.
"He just goes and plays, day in and day out," McGwire said. "He's just so good to watch. He doesn't complain if he hits second or eighth. He just goes out and takes the same at-bats, no matter what."
Renteria flied to deep right in that situation to finish Game 1 with a 1-for-4 night. But he then rapped three hits, including an RBI double, and added an NLCS record-tying three stolen bases in Game 2.
In Saturday's Game 3 win, Renteria smacked two more singles, scored twice and drove in two while adding a key sacrifice bunt amid another St. Louis rally.
Asked about his budding reputation as a big-game player, the soft-spoken Renteria said simply, "I'm there all the time.
"I'm not nervous. These are the games you like to play," said Renteria, who entered Game 4 batting .429 (6-for-14) with three RBI in the NLCS. "When you're prepared, you feel comfortable. And I feel like I can help the team win. Now I have a little bit more experience. I think better now."
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