One of the more consistent shortstops in the modern era, and a World Series hero before he could even drink legally, we dive into the career numbers of Edgar Renteria.
Born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, Edgar Enrique Renteria would develop into one of the most reliable shortstops of his time and showcasing quite the impressive trophy case in the process. Again, when we do our Stat Stories, we’ll only briefly touch on his upbringing and off the field matters. Stat Stories are all about the numbers, how they unfolded, and which ones stand out the most. Let’s take a look at the numbers resume of shortstop Edgar Renteria.
Lifetime Stats
AVG: .286 H: 2327 HR: 140 RBI: 923 SB: 294 AB: 8142 OBP: .343 SLG: .398 OPS: .741
Unlike most players their first year in the majors, Edgar Renteria would be given the keys to the shortstop position at just 19 years old in 1996 and played 106 games that year. Quickly earning the reputation of a pure slap hitter, Renteria batted a fat .309 with 133 hits. a decent .757 OPS that year for a 19-year-old with little pop is phenomenal. Edgar would end up finishing 2nd in Rookie of the Year award voting to the Dodger’s Todd Hollandsworth.
Edgar’s 1997 Season at the tender age of 20 would see his name etched into baseball lore forever. With his walk off single in Game 7 of the World Series, very, very few people created a bigger World Series moment than Renteria. His entire performance that season however was worthy of note as well. Leading the Marlins in hits that year, with 90 runs scored to boot. He was proving to be not only one of the best young players in the league, but a dangerous top of the order catalyst for the Florida Marlins.
Amidst the infamous “fire sale” of the Florida Marlins after their World Series victory, Renteria happened to be one of the few that was kept around for the entirety of the following 1998 season. A season in which saw him produce another fine hitting season hitting .282 with 146 hits in 133 games. It would be his last stint with the Marlins as the organization traded Renteria to the St. Louis Cardinals in the winter of 1998.
Depending on the age demographic, some might remember Edgar more for his time in St. Louis than in Florida. As he would become a staple at the top of the Cardinals lineup for the next 5 years.
From ’99 to ’04, Renteria batted .290, cranked 71 homers and 451 RBIs. Crossing the plate 497 times himself. All over the span of 903 games. A sneaky good 148 stolen bases in that time as well. During his time in St. Louis, he would take home 2 Gold Gloves (’02, ’03) and 3 Silver Sluggers (’00, ’01, ’02). Which considering the competition at the position for its time and so many good shortstops out there, speaks volume.
What can be easily forgotten are the years after his St Louis days that are less mentioned, but still very much produced. In ’05 & ’06 he would play for the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves respectfully. Edgar amassed 100 runs scored in both seasons, hitting .276 in Boston and .293 in Atlanta. He would stay in Atlanta for the 2008 season in which he continued to be a top tier run producer, scoring 87 that season.
A short stint in Detroit didn’t see a drastic drop in production, but it was noticeable. Batting .270 for the Tigers in his age 31 season. The following year would see him move to the San Francisco Bay area. Used in a lesser role, he managed to secure his second World Series title with the Giants in 2010.
Two rings, a World Series MVP, 5x All-Star, 3 Silver Sluggers, 2 Gold Gloves, 2000+ hits. Enough production in his numbers to consider him a 4, possibly at times, 5-tool player. Perhaps if he didn’t play during the Golden Era of shortstops, he might be perceived in a larger manner. Regardless, Edgar Renteria grinded in the show his whole career, and his league wide respect shows that.
