Renty retiring with Atlanta?

Lakeland, Fla. — Edgar Renteria landed on his feet.

He's with Detroit now, sitting in a locker room of studs, hitting seventh -- believe it or not -- in a loaded lineup poised to make a World Series run.


The Braves traded Renteria to the Tigers in October in a logical move. Yunel Escobar was ready to play every day at shortstop. It would free up some $9 million of payroll to help sign Tom Glavine. It also got the Braves a bright young starter in Jair Jurrjens and outfield prospect Gorkys Hernandez.

But that doesn't mean Renteria, who'll be playing against his former team today, didn't feel a twinge of disappointment when Braves general manager Frank Wren called to tell him.

"Yeah it surprised me a little bit because I was good in Atlanta, I played real good," said Renteria, who backed that up with a career-best .332 batting average last season and a run at the National League batting title. "I do everything right, I think. But you don't have control of that. It's a business. I know Bobby [Cox] didn't want me to go, and the players, but I know when I leave, that's something, that's a business."

Cox, who always called Renteria a hitting machine, had nothing but nice things to say about him.

"Edgar is a complete professional ballplayer, organized, on routine, team leader," Cox said. "Edgar is one of the more popular guys who's come through here. Players loved him."

Renteria, who came up with Florida and had the game-winning hit in the 1997 World Series, said he had always wanted to play for the Braves. Now, at age 32, he said he'd like to retire with them when the time comes.

Perhaps come back as a utility player?

"You never know," he said with a smile and the familiar tobacco tucked under a lip.

That's how good he felt about his two-year experience in Atlanta.

"Yeah, I was so relaxed, so happy," Renteria said. "I tell everybody when you play happy, and when you like where you stay, you're going to put up good numbers and play good. To be happy you have to love what you do. You're going to be comfortable and do things better."

It was the opposite for him in Boston. He was booed by fans after a slow start at the plate in 2005. He had a miserable year defensively, making 30 errors, which was likely affected by back problems. And he was traded one year into a four-year $40 million contract.

In sharp contrast were his next two years in Atlanta. Renteria was quietly a dominant presence, hitting second in the order and playing solid defense. He had 24 errors in the two seasons combined.

Despite playing in only 124 games last year because of a late-season ankle injury, Renteria hit 30 doubles with 12 home runs and scored 87 runs. He finished tied for third in the NL with his .332 batting average.

Perhaps it's no coincidence that Renteria has played for arguably the best managers of this era -- Cox, Tony La Russa and Jim Leyland, who managed Renteria with the Marlins and wanted him back with the Tigers.

"I've been lucky," Renteria said.

The Braves will still reap some rewards from Renteria this season, given the impression he's made on Escobar. Renteria invited Escobar to work out with him this offseason at his home in Miami. They worked out five days a week, and Escobar brought 12 more pounds of bulk into camp to show for it.

"He looks strong, yes?" Renteria asked of Escobar.

"He taught me to be ready to play every day, to be in great shape and to trust my ability," Escobar said through an interpreter..