With Rolen, The Infield Is Golden In Its Play
Joe Strauss Of The Post-Dispatch
August 23, 2002
Since the acquisition of third baseman Scott Rolen, the Cardinals can lay claim to a Gold Glove infield.
Rolen's addition gives the Cardinals three infielders - catcher Mike Matheny, second baseman Fernando Vina and Rolen - with at least one Gold Glove and two others making a serious challenge for their first award this season. Entering Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the starting infield of Tino Martinez, Vina, Edgar Renteria and Rolen had committed a total 37 errors, 29 with the Cardinals. The club ranked fourth in the National League in double plays, though only ninth in fielding percentage.
"This is the best infield I've ever played with," said Renteria, whose 14 errors are 10 fewer than his 2001 total and three fewer than he made for the 1997 world champion Florida Marlins. "Everybody is one of the best at his position, I think. You only have to worry about your job, your zone, because you know everyone else is going to take care of his job."
Vina has already committed more errors (10) this season than last (9) but believes this year's performance has outpaced his 2001.
"I think I've taken more diving-type plays this season, the kind of plays where maybe I could've held onto the ball instead of taking a chance," said Vina. "You can play it safe or take chances. Most times, if it's borderline, I'll take the chance."
The Houston Astros' Craig Biggio and Pirates' Pokey Reese lead the league in fielding percentage and have committed five errors apiece. Vina ranks fourth in total chances.
Martinez has committed only two errors and saved numerous others by pulling short-hops from the dirt. Only once this season has he failed to pick a low throw.
Regarded by some as the best-fielding active player at his position never to win a Gold Glove, Martinez led American League first baseman in fielding percentage with the New York Yankees in 1996.
"It's an award that would mean a lot to me," Martinez said.
Rolen has won three Gold Gloves in five full major-league seasons. He entered Thursday night sixth in fielding percentage but leading NL third baseman in total chances.
The Cardinals have benefited from several solid infields, perhaps most recently the 1982 group that featured first baseman Keith Hernandez, second baseman Tommy Herr, shortstop Ozzie Smith and third baseman Ken Oberkfell. Hernandez won his fifth consecutive Gold Glove for the Cardinals that season while Smith captured his first of his 11 consecutive with the Redbirds.
That infield stayed intact for part of the 1983 season before Hernandez was traded to the New York Mets. Oberkfell was dealt to the Atlanta Braves in 1984.
Cardinals legend Red Schoendienst has been impressed with the current configuration but remains partial to the one that featured third baseman Whitey Kurowski (1941-49), himself at second base (1945-56, 61-63), shortstop Marty Marion (1940-50) and Stan Musial at first base.
"These guys are right up there," said Schoendienst. "And they play every day, which makes it even more impressive."
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