Renteria getting a feel for expanded instant replay

PITTSBURGH -- Rick Renteria was not aware he made history as the first manager to use Major League Baseball's expanded instant replay system until after the Cubs' game on Monday.

"It was interesting," said Renteria, who challenged a call at first base in the fifth inning when Jeff Samardzija was called out. The umpire's call was confirmed.

"[Replay] is kind of an organic, work in progress for everybody, getting a feel for its usage," Renteria said.

Does the Cubs' rookie manager like it?

"I think if it helps us clean up some plays, I think it's helpful," Renteria said. "I still think the umpires do a great job. They have a tough job to do and they don't want to screw it up, they want to get the calls right. We're emotionally vested in everything, and they're emotionally vested in doing a good job. We both have to grow a little thicker skin in dealing with each other the best way we possibly can."

It seems managers are walking deliberately from the dugout to talk to an umpire about a play, which gives the coaches and others in the clubhouse time to review the video before deciding whether to challenge a call or not.

"I think everybody's doing that," Renteria said. "I'm assuming they appreciate us doing that also, because they know it's getting reviewed. If there is a bad call or a close call, if it gets overturned, it gets overturned. They're allowing us to be able to do that.

"I think [the umpires] want to get the calls right," he said. "They've probably been living a pretty tough life with all the cameras around [and second-guessing]. They're human beings and they don't want to do things that affect the game. Maybe they're thankful about it."