Édgar Rentería facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Édgar Rentería |
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Rentería with the Cincinnati Reds in 2011
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| Shortstop | |||
| Born: August 7, 1975 Barranquilla, Colombia |
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| debut | |||
| May 10, 1996, for the Florida Marlins | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 28, 2011, for the Cincinnati Reds | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .286 | ||
| Hits | 2,327 | ||
| Home runs | 140 | ||
| Runs batted in | 923 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Édgar Enrique Rentería Herazo (born August 7, 1975), known as "the Barranquilla Baby", is a former professional baseball player from Colombia. He played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball (MLB) for many teams, including the Florida Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Francisco Giants. He was known for his great defense and clutch hitting.
Édgar Rentería is famous for hitting the game-winning single in the 1997 World Series for the Florida Marlins. He also won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award in 2010 with the San Francisco Giants, hitting important home runs in that series. He is the first Colombian player to win this award.
Contents
Early Life and Start in Baseball
Édgar Rentería was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, on August 7, 1975. When he was 16, the Florida Marlins signed him to play baseball. This was the start of his amazing career.
Playing in the Minor Leagues
Rentería began his professional journey in 1992 with the Gulf Coast League Marlins. He showed he could hit well, with a .288 batting average. He worked hard to improve his defense, and his fielding percentage got better each year. By 1995, he was a top prospect, hitting seven home runs and stealing 30 bases for the Portland Sea Dogs.
Major League Career Highlights
Florida Marlins (1996–1998)
Rentería joined the Florida Marlins in 1996. He quickly became their starting shortstop. He had a great first year, batting .309 and finishing second for the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award.
In 1997, Rentería became a World Series hero. In Game 7 of the 1997 World Series, with the score tied in the eleventh inning, he hit a game-winning single. This hit brought home the winning run and gave the Marlins their first-ever World Series championship!
In 1998, he was chosen for his first MLB All-Star Game. He also stole a career-high 41 bases that year.
St. Louis Cardinals (1999–2004)
Rentería joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1999. He continued to be a strong player, leading the team in hits and stolen bases.
In 2000, he was an All-Star again and won his first Silver Slugger Award for being a great hitter at his position. He also set a new record for home runs by a Cardinals shortstop.
He won his first Gold Glove Award in 2002 for his excellent defense. He was the first Cardinals shortstop to win this award since Ozzie Smith in 1992. He also won another Silver Slugger Award that year.
In 2003, Rentería had an amazing season. He batted a career-high .330 and had 100 RBI, which was a first for a Cardinals shortstop since 1985. He won both a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award again, showing he was one of the best shortstops in baseball.
In 2004, he was an All-Star for the fourth time. The Cardinals reached the 2004 World Series, but they lost to the Boston Red Sox.
Boston Red Sox (2005)
In 2005, Rentería signed with the Boston Red Sox. He had some great hitting moments, including a grand slam against the New York Yankees. However, he struggled with errors on defense. After one season, he was traded.
Atlanta Braves (2006–2007)
Rentería started 2006 with a 23-game hitting streak, one of the longest in baseball that year. He was selected for his fifth All-Star Game. He finished the year with a strong .293 batting average and much better defense.
In 2007, he had another excellent season, batting a career-high .332. He was one of only four shortstops in MLB to hit over .300 with more than ten home runs and 50 RBI.
Detroit Tigers (2008)
In 2008, Rentería hit his fifth and sixth career grand slams. On June 17, he reached a major milestone: his two thousandth career hit! He became a free agent after the season.
San Francisco Giants (2009–2010)
Rentería joined the San Francisco Giants in 2009. He dealt with some injuries but still hit a game-winning grand slam.
In 2010, despite more injuries, Rentería played a huge role in the Giants' success. He gave an inspiring speech to his teammates, encouraging them to make the playoffs. The Giants did, and Rentería became a key player in the postseason.
2010 Postseason Hero
In the 2010 World Series against the Texas Rangers, Rentería became a World Series MVP! In Game 2, he hit a home run to break a scoreless tie. Then, in Game 5, with the score tied in the seventh inning, he hit a three-run home run that won the series for the Giants! This made him only the fourth player in history to have two series-winning hits. He was named the 2010 World Series Most Valuable Player, a proud moment for him and for Colombia.
Cincinnati Reds (2011)
Rentería played his final season in 2011 with the Cincinnati Reds. He played as a utility player, helping the team in different positions.
Retirement
On March 22, 2013, Édgar Rentería officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball.
Career Statistics Summary
Over 16 seasons and 2,152 games, Rentería had a .286 batting average. He collected 2,327 hits, 140 home runs, and 923 RBI. He also stole 294 stolen bases. His career fielding percentage was .970, showing his strong defense.
Accomplishments and Awards
- Hit the game-winning single in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series.
- Five-time All-Star (1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006).
- Two-time Gold Glove Award winner (2002, 2003).
- Three-time Silver Slugger Award winner for shortstop (2000, 2002, 2003).
- Had a 24-game hitting streak in 2005-2006.
- Reached his two thousandth career hit on June 18, 2008.
- Named the 2010 World Series MVP. He is one of only four players to have multiple World Series-winning hits.
Personal Life and Legacy
Édgar Rentería has two brothers, Edinson and Evert, who also played baseball. In 1998, Édgar and Edinson started "Team Rentería" to help baseball in Colombia. They teach young players and support the Colombian Professional Baseball League.
In 1997, the president of Colombia gave Rentería the "San Carlos Cross of the Order of the Great Knight," which is Colombia's highest honor.
His hometown of Barranquilla honored him by naming a new baseball stadium after him. The Estadio Édgar Rentería opened in 2018 and is home to a professional baseball team.
See also
- List of Gold Glove Award winners at shortstop
- List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
