Redmond reacts to retirement of ex-teammate Renteria

JUPITER, Fla. -- News of Edgar Renteria's retirement brought back old times for Marlins manager Mike Redmond.

Redmond and Renteria were prospects together, dating back to their Class A days at Kane County.

Renteria, of course, came up with the Marlins, and he was a World Series hero in 1997. On Thursday, Renteria announced his retirement.

Redmond recalls the days when he and a group of players would drive Renteria, a Colombia native, all over the place.

"He couldn't speak any English, and I used to have to order for him all the time," Redmond said. "We'd go to McDonalds, and he'd always order the No. 4, the chicken sandwich. He would get two chicken sandwiches. He'd be, 'No. 4. Two.' Same thing, every time.

"When we were in A ball, we'd take him around all the time. We'd take him to lunch, dinner. He was with a bunch of us. He was just at the mercy of wherever we took him."

Renteria broke into the big leagues at age 19.

Redmond remembers being in the Arizona Fall League, watching Game 7 of the 1997 World Series, when Renteria delivered his famous single to beat the Indians.

"To see what he did over his career is amazing," the Miami manager said. "What a great player. Awesome teammate, great teammate."