Renteria Reaches 1,000 Hits
By Warren Mayes
Associated Press Sportswriter
07/26/2002
Tony La Russa knows how valuable shortstop Edgar Renteria has been to the Cardinals this season.
``I would say on an everyday basis, I mean, nobody has played better,'' La Russa said Friday before the Cardinals played host to the Chicago Cubs. ``He's been hitting .280 and .290 all year long. He's just been a real tough out. So whatever the numbers come out to be, he's done a really good job.''
Renteria, who turns 27 on Aug. 7, had two hits Friday night off Chicago starter Jon Lieber to reach 1,000 in his career -- an important milestone for the sure-handed shortstop.
``It means a lot to me,'' Renteria said before the game. ``It means I can hit. I've done something. I feel proud of myself. I try to do the best I can do keep going. It's not something I really think about.
``I don't think about my record. I just try and play hard every day.''
Reaching the milestone already has brought a question from his lockermate, Fernando Vina, who is 33. Vina reached the 1,000-hit plateau earlier this season.
``Fernando asked the other day how'd I do that so fast,'' smiled Renteria, in his sixth full season in the big leagues. ``I feel good. I hope I can keep going. It's good we're winning; that is what is important.''
At the plate, Renteria has been hotter than a typical July afternoon in St. Louis. Since July 7, Renteria is 28-for-62 (.452) with eight RBIs in 16 games. He has lifted his average 29 points from .278 to .307 and now ranks second in batting average (.375) with runners in scoring position. His batting average leads all National League shortstops, and his 42 RBIs ranks second to Milwaukee's Jose Hernandez (49).
Since the All-Star break, Renteria is 25-for-58 (.431).
However, Renteria's game just didn't show up in the past month, La Russa said.
``That's the way he's been playing all year,'' La Russa said. ``To me, he's been doing it all year long.''
Renteria credits batting coach Mitchell Page with helping him improve at the plate.
``I've been working hard with Mitchell Page,'' Renteria said. ``I work every day. I see the ball better. I feel good at the plate. When I swing at the ball, I don't try and do too much.
``When I wasn't hitting as well earlier in the season, I kept pushing. Now, I feel good out there. I just try and do my little part to help us win a game.''
He doing better in the field as well. Renteria has just nine errors this season after committing 24 last year. In the previous four seasons, Renteria has made 97 errors.
``I feel good about everything,'' Renteria said. ``We're playing good ball. We're winning and we're still in first place. What can be better than that?''
Renteria wants to hit .300 this season. He hit .309 as a rookie in 106 games in 1996 with the Florida Marlins. His best full-season average was .282 in 1998 before he was traded to the Cardinals. In his three seasons with St. Louis, Renteria's best average was .278 in 2000. Last year, he hit a career low .260.
``To hit .300 is the goal of every hitter,'' Renteria said. ``Before, I was hitting the ball but they were catching it. Baseball is crazy. Now, I'm getting some hits through. So, who knows?
``I come to play everyday. I like to play everyday. Tony has confidence in me and puts me in the lineup everyday. I have so much fun playing ball.''
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