1997 v. 2003: Short Stop

We have already taken a look at the catcher, first base, second base, and third base positions. Here is a look at how the current team that you guys have voted on looks like:

• Catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• First Base: Derrick Lee
• Second Base: Luis Castillo
• Third Base: Mike Lowell
• Short Stop:
• Left Field:
• Center Field:
• Right Field:

We will continue today with a look today comparing the Florida Marlins World Series short stops. The two short stops we will discuss today are both responsible for heroic walk off hits in the World Series, Edgar Renteria and Alex Gonzalez. Both short stops were well short of being superstars, but they were very crucial to the Marlins.

Renteria was signed by the Florida Marlins in 1992. Renteria made his debut with the Marlins in 1996, finishing second to Todd Hollandsworth in Rookie of the Year Award balloting. In 1997, his RBI single off of Charles Nagy in the eleventh inning of Game 7 of the 1997 World Series won the Marlins their first World Series in team history. Renteria spent one more season with the Marlins, in which he was selected to his first All-Star Game in 1998. The Marlins then shipped Renteria to the St. Louis Cardinals the following season.

Alex Gonzalez signed as an amateur free agent with the Florida Marlins in 1994 and made his MLB debut in 1998. Gonzalez put together an all-star campaign in just his first full season in the major leagues. González played an important role in the 2003 World Series against the New York Yankees. Struggling at the plate,  1-for-13 in the World Series, Gonzalez hit a walk-off home run in the 12th inning of game four to help the Marlins get to a 2–2 tie in the Series. Then in game five, González hit a two-out game-tying double and then eventually scored the game winning run,  González added an extra run in the sixth and final game, when he slid around catcher Jorge Posada, eluding him and brushing the plate with his left hand. Florida, of course went on to win the World Series

While neither player was impressive at the plate, Gonzalez’s defensive numbers put him over the top. The irony in that is that Edgar Renteria actually won the gold glove honors that season with the St. Louis Cardinals. Both players provided key hits in their respective world series, with Gonzalez coming through multiple times.

Alright MarlinManiacs, there is the background on the two players world series seasons and their stats. Now it is time for you guys to vote on who was the Marlins best World Series short stop!