Renteria A 'Classic Winning Player'
Cardinals shortstop in fourth postseason at age 27
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
October 2, 2002
PHOENIX -- As the Cardinals progress through the postseason -- especially if they advance beyond their current Division Series against the Diamondbacks -- Edgar Renteria's chances of contributing to his team's success grow ever higher.
Though he's only 27 years old, Renteria already has established himself as a clutch performer. He has participated in four postseasons in his seven-year Major League career. His 11th-inning single in Game 7 scored Craig Counsell with the run that crowned Florida as 1997 World Series champions. That capped a Fall Classic in which Renteria hit a solid .290.
This year, he matched an 81-year-old franchise record by driving in 82 runs as a shortstop -- "and they were big RBIs," St. Louis general manager Walt Jocketty said Wednesday. "They came at times when we needed somebody to step up."
Renteria's run production reflected his .372 batting average with runners in scoring position, third best in the National League. He hit .304 with runners in scoring position in 1999, and in 2000, he batted .333 (7-for-21) with the bases full.
"He's a classic winning player," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He really gets turned on by a winning situation. He loves to be up there in the ninth inning with a chance to win it. He has a stroke where he can hit the ball all over the park. He digs out tough pitches ... It's a real high-average stroke. The other day, he hit a ball down the third-base line to win it; Sunday, he hit a ball down the right-field line to win it. He can hit a sinker down and in or a ball down and away."
Renteria sustained his best all-around effort this year, lifting his average 45 points from last season to finish at .305. He led St. Louis with 22 stolen bases, marking the fifth time he had exceeded 20 thefts. The right-handed batter led all NL shortstops in average and RBIs.
Although the Cardinals have not won a World Series since 1982, nor appeared in the Fall Classic since '87, they have two players in first baseman Tino Martinez and shortstop Edgar Renteria who have each won World Series rings. Martinez picked up four of them with the Yankees (1996, 1998-2000) and Renteria won one with the Marlins in '97.
Yet the roll call of elite shortstops never seems to include Renteria. By now, the names on that list, all American Leaguers, are familiar: Alex Rodriguez, Rangers. Derek Jeter, Yankees. Miguel Tejada, A's. Nomar Garciaparra, Red Sox. Edgar Renteria -- who?
But if you ask the Cardinals, they'd probably refuse to trade Renteria for any of those stars.
"I think he's right there with those guys," second baseman Fernando Vina said. "He can play."
"People forget he's only 27 years old, but he has played the best overall shortstop in our league, in my opinion," La Russa said.
"It's tough to compare him to the guys in the American League, but I've obviously seen the shortstops in the National League and I don't know if there's anybody better," Jocketty said. "You look at what he does day-in and day-out, with his defense, leadership and offense. He hasn't gotten a lot of attention or fanfare because he's not that type of guy who seeks it. And playing in St. Louis, you don't get a lot of media attention."
In fact, Renteria avoided attempts to be interviewed for this story. "He struggles with the English language from time to time," Jocketty said of the Colombian native. With teammates, however, Renteria is much more talkative and charismatic.
"He has a terrific personality. He's everybody's favorite in there," La Russa said. "The guys have a good time with him."
Despite Renteria's language difficulties, said Jocketty, "people get his point. He really has become one of the leaders on this club."
Renteria's play mirrors his disdain for attention. "He does all the right things he needs to do to play shortstop. There's nothing flashy about him at all," St. Louis first baseman Tino Martinez said. Though Renteria hits proficiently, he doesn't amass many home runs, unlike marquee shortstops such as Tejada, Rodriguez and Garciaparra. When he led the NL in an offensive category, it was in sacrifice bunts -- 19 in 1997.
Of course, being steady and not spectacular is what makes Renteria such an asset.
"From the first day of Spring Training, he has really dedicated himself," La Russa said. "He's in good shape, he has worked hard to stay in shape, he has worked on his defense and he's one of our best base runners."
At the current rate, Renteria might not remain relatively anonymous much longer.
"I think he has really matured now and sees what he's capable of doing," Jocketty said. "He should command a lot of respect."
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