Renteria Makes Dream Field A Reality
By Jared Hoffman / MLB.com
August 8, 2002
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. -- In a ceremony to dedicate a new baseball field at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center, the phrase "field of dreams" was used more than once Thursday morning. But thanks to Cardinals shortstop Edgar Renteria, Cardinals Care and the Baseball Tomorrow fund, this field -- complete with manicured grass, covered dugouts and an electronic scoreboard -- was no longer a dream, but a reality.
Edgar Renteria Field is the latest addition to the center, which provides a safe place for children to be involved in activities. In addition to Renteria Field, three other baseball diamonds were built from other funding, including $55,000 from the Baseball Tomorrow Find, which is a join initiative between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Among those in attendance for the ceremony were Renteria, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty and more than a hundred children eager to participate.
While the Cardinals have been struggling on their own field recently, there was nothing but smiles at Thursday's ceremony.
"What I like about it is we're in a tough playing stretch, but we've already had a great day," said La Russa. "Edgar's such a great guy. This is an example for everyone to see. He's got a good heart and to put his name and put his money behind a field like this where so many kids are going to enjoy it, it's a terrific gesture."
Jocketty said the dedication of Edgar Renteria Field was a great way to start what ordinarily would have been a difficult day. "After seven losses it's usually hard to get up in the morning," said Jocketty. "But to come out for something like this is very easy. When we came up with the idea for Cardinals Care and the field program as an organization, this is the moment we were waiting for. It's a great testament to Edgar and the Cardinals."
With the dedication of Edgar Renteria Field, Cardinals Care has now donated more than $3.9 million to benefit youth in the St. Louis community.
"More and more just about when everybody signs a contract, a portion of it goes to Cardinals Care," said La Russa. "Our players really enjoy it because it's a way for them to contribute and give something back to the community and they know it's going to go back to the kids, which is really the focus of Cardinals Care."
Edgar Renteria Field is the fifth playing field that has been funded through Cardinals Care. Jim Edmonds and the late Darryl Kile also helped fund fields and this past spring Cardinals Care funded Spirit Field, a baseball facility built specifically for disabled children in wheelchairs.
Renteria did not speak at the ceremony but it was obvious from his smile that he was just as excited about the field as the children who were getting ready to play on it.
"Those who know Edgar well, know what he is thinking," said Jocketty. "He expresses himself through his actions, and he couldn't express himself any better than he did today with the dedication of this field."
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