EXTRAS: Giants considered re-signing Renteria

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.The Giants reached out to veteraninfielder Edgar Renteria in the offseason and expressed interest in re-signingtheir only World Series MVP in history.But they did not make a formal contract offer. Renteriaturned down two other minor league contracts, including one from the MilwaukeeBrewers, and is leaning toward retirement, Fox Sports reported on Wednesday.If this is truly the end for the decorated 35-year-oldshortstop, hell exit with a lasting legacy in San Franciscoand with theadmiration of his former teammates.
If there was a heart and soul of that team (in 2010), someone whoseemotions really kind of carried us, it was him, Tim Lincecum told me. You cansee what the game meant to him. The tears would come at the appropriate times.Justwhat a great career.The most memorable tears came during a team meeting in thebatting cage underneath the Wrigley Field bleachers in late September, when theGiants were fighting to make a late charge in the NL West. Renteria broke downin tears, telling his teammates he didnt care if he had become a role playerwhile battling season-long injuries. He just wanted one more chance to win aWorld Series, and challenged his teammates to make it happen. Aubrey Huff has credited the speech with bringing the teamtogether. And Renteria, who barely made the playoff roster, delivered aspromised. His home run off Cliff Lee in the seventh inning of Game 5 accountedfor all the runs in the 3-1 victory that clinched the title.Renteria signed with the Reds after winning series MVPhonors; he struggled most of the year, but still found a way to rise to a fewbig moments. His single in the 13th inning off Brian Wilson on July29 sent the Reds to a walk-off victory over the Giants. That game began thesteep descent for the defending world champs, as they lost eight of nine tolose their grip atop the NL West. Any chance of bringing back Renteria went out the windowwhen the Giants signed Ryan Theriot to be a right-handed complement toshortstop Brandon Crawford.Theriot figures to be a popular Giant. Theres no questionRenteria wouldve been welcomed back within the clubhouse, too. I havent been here too long, but hes one of my favoriteteammates for sure, catcher Buster Posey said. He always had a quietconfidence about him. He made everyone relax. He made you feel comfortable. Hehad that little winning edge that you want.Its just an air he had about him. He had confidence inwhatever he did, and that rubbed off on the rest of us. He knew the right timesto speak up. He didnt talk all the time, but he wasnt shy. If he felt hecould help someone, hed take them aside. Hes a winner. I guess thats the best way to describe it.Right-hander Sergio Romo called Renteria everything everybodysaid he was -- one of the best teammates I ever had. It didnt matter thesituation or the time. He took pride in what he did. You value guys like that. Romo said Renterias leadership had no bounds.Not just the Latin side or the American side, Romo said.Its the clubhouse in general. Hes there to push you every day. Here I am, apitcher, and Im taking advice from a shortstop. Its understanding the gameand my position and how to believe in myself. You learn as much as you can frompeople like that. They dont come around too often. Renteria doesnt plan to file retirement papers in case hegets a guaranteed opportunity with another club, Fox Sports reported. Injuriesare part of spring training, so perhaps that could happen. But it appears thisis the end for the two-time Gold Glove winner and five-time All-Star.--Bruce Bochy will gather the team for a meeting before thefirst full-squad workout on Friday. But its never too early to start thebonding rituals.So in their quick briefing before Thursdays workout withpitchers and catchers, Bochy asked right-hander Seth Rosin where he went toschool. (It was Minnesota.) Thenhe asked if he had pride in his alma mater. Of course, Rosin said. OK, Bochy said. Sing the fight song.So Rosin had to fumble through the words to MinnesotaRouser. He managed to remember them all, though.--It's stunning news that Ryan Braun's 50-game suspension was overturned by an arbitrator on Thursday. And it's news that will impact the Giants in a big way.RATTO: MLB way off base in Braun case
The Giants play all six of their games against the Milwaukee Brewers on or before May 23. Braun would have been ineligible for all of them. Now the Brewers will enjoy the full services of the reigning NL MVP.