In the AP story on yesterday's Giants win over the Rockies, it is noted that the Giants held a team meeting Tuesday, the day after their heartbreaking 14-inning loss at Colorado that ended on a grand slam. Apparently Edgar Renteria spoke up at the meeting. "I told them, "Play ball," Renteria recalled.
Forgetting his dismal uninspired play when he was with the Tigers, I do recall that Renteria was a pretty quiet person.
I can just picture the scene at this meeting which preceded Tuesday's game.
Everybody talking at once. People blaming each other for how the game went the night before. Old animosities resurfacing. Virtual chaos.
Quiet Edgar taps someone on the shoulder and whispers that he would like to speak.
"Hey guys quiet down! I SAID QUIET DOWN! HEY EVERYBODY, SHUT UP! Edgar wants to speak!"
The clubhouse becomes eerily quiet. All eyes shift to Edgar. He never says anything so this has got to be something very profound. Everybody leans forward to hear what Edgar has to say.
Edgar then utters the following words of wisdom: "Play ball".
At first, there is stunned silence from the group as it takes time to digest the meaning of these words.
After a few seconds someone screams out, "Let's kill those guys! They can't play with us." Others yell out, "No way! They are dead meat! Let's get out there! We are going to PLAY BALL!"
A new purposeful chaos results.
The players grab their bats and gloves and then storm the field, college football-style, culminating in a circle of delirious ballplayers jumping up and down before batting practice.
I don't think I need to tell you who won Tuesday's Giants/Diamondbacks game.
And it all started with Edgar.
