Renteria Prefers To Talk Softly, Carry A Big Stick -- And Glove
Bernie Miklasz Post-Dispatch
May 05, 2003
St. Louis sports stars don't remain anonymous. We usually learn a lot about what they like, what they do off the field, their charity work, their families.
What do we know about Edgar Renteria?
He plays baseball.
Plays it hard. Plays it very well.
And ...
That's about it.
In recent times, has there been a more low-key personality among prominent St. Louis sports athletes?
"I'm friendly, but I keep to myself and to my teammates," Renteria said. "Playing baseball, that's what I'm about. It's what I do best."
At age 27, Renteria is on top of his game. He long ago established himself as the best shortstop in the National League, but we must adjust the praise and take it higher. Right now, Renteria is one of the NL's top players at any position.
Last season this cool-hands dude won the Gold Glove for his fielding, which remains exceptional. But last year he posted a career-high 82 RBIs, and his hot flow continues. Renteria is one of the NL's leading hitters (with a .361 average), and he leads the Cardinals with 26 RBIs.
And Renteria is money when it matters, batting .476 (10 for 21) with runners in scoring position and two out. He's delivered 15 RBIs in two-out situations. He's batting .378 with runners in scoring position. And he's done this from five different spots in the lineup.
Really, there are no limitations. Except for maybe the acclaim Renteria receives. That's even true in St. Louis, which never has appreciated Renteria in full. Ozzie Smith set a Hall of Fame standard with his play at shortstop. Those who inherited Ozzie's stage would not get a fair shake; memories of The Wizard were too vivid.
That's changing. Renteria seems to be winning the town over. And he does it with deeds, not words. Renteria, a Colombian, is reluctant to do radio and TV interviews.
"My English is not very good, so I am shy about speaking," he said.
Renteria's English is fine. But his baseball is better. We should be content to stand back and admire his artwork.
"I think I'm a good player," Renteria said. "I play for my teammates. All I want to do is help my team win. That's all. If people want to talk about me, that's fine, you know? But I can't try to do fantastic things to please people. I just try to play my game and go forward.
"When they traded me to St. Louis, I knew it was going to be a good city to play in. But everybody was always speaking about Ozzie. And they'll never forget about Ozzie, and that's good. He was a great player. And I will never forget him, either. I have appreciation for him. I am trying to do the same things. I don't know if I can ever play at Ozzie's level, but I will try."
Sunday in the second inning at Busch Stadium, we were treated to another splendid Renteria at-bat. After Tino Martinez doubled with two outs, Montreal starter Javier Vazquez got two quick strikes on Renteria. But Renteria smoked a 1-2 pitch to right-center for an RBI double. The Cardinals had a 1-0 lead, and cruised to a 6-2 victory. The Cardinals have won seven in a row, and Renteria is a catalyst, providing offense, defense and leadership.
"We call Edgar 'The Captain,' because he molds this whole clubhouse together," pitcher Matt Morris said. "That's the best thing about him. He's just that middle man that anybody can talk to. And his attitude rubs off. He doesn't back off. He's always coming up with big hits. He never gets rattled. He just wants to win ballgames.
"He's quiet, but when he speaks it's usually something very funny, or he has something serious to say. And he's so concerned with every one of his teammates. He's just awesome in the clubhouse."
The secret is out. St. Louis won't forget Ozzie Smith, but at least now we're discovering what Edgar Renteria means to the Cardinals.
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