MLB WORLD SERIES: INDIANS v MARLINS

October 20, 1997

Craig Counsell

Edgar Renteria

CRAIG COUNSELL: There's a lot of guys that played like in the 20's and 30's, I believe, but recently like I think Cap Anson, I think he's in the Hall of Fame. But recently like since '60s, 70's, '80s, there's really been nobody that really stood out.

CRAIG COUNSELL: Football is No. 1 at Notre Dame. Always has been and always will be.

CRAIG COUNSELL: I suppose it would be a good time to be there. No, football is No. 1, but it's a good school to go to, it's a good school to play athletics. It's a great place to get your education.

EDGAR RENTERIA: Yes, I spent three years playing in cold weather in the Minor Leagues and I love playing in cold weather, I love the cold.

EDGAR RENTERIA: I don't know, I just enjoy it. I like it a lot.

EDGAR RENTERIA: That I'm the best, no, but in the American League, Omar is probably the best fielding shortstop. And in the National League there's a lot of real good fielding shortstops.

EDGAR RENTERIA: In Chicago I really wasn't prepared for the cold that early in the season, but now these games mean a lot. These games are very important and I'm ready for them.

EDGAR RENTERIA: I really don't know, it's difficult to play in there, but I think if you're prepared for it, it's really not going to affect the teams at all.

CRAIG COUNSELL: I don't think one thing is going to stand out in my mind, but I think it's just -- I think the best part about playing second base -- shortstop is -- you can make a real impact on a game defensively. And I think when you play with a great shortstop you're able to make, sometimes make plays, make double plays that normally you wouldn't be able to make. And I guess that's why I like playing with Edgar, because we're able to do things, we're able to make great plays, turn a great double play that normally you wouldn't be able to turn.

EDGAR RENTERIA: Yes, I've seen him play and he's an excellent shortstop. I have a lot of confidence in myself and I have a lot of conditioning and practice that I do myself. But it's always good to be pushed, and he's an excellent shortstop.

EDGAR RENTERIA: In Columbia there's never been a baseball player play in the World Series. And now all of Columbia is following me -- all of Columbia is supporting me, and I think that's the best thing that's ever happened to baseball in Columbia.

EDGAR RENTERIA: I really don't know what they're going to be doing for me. What I'd like to see is that all the youngsters follow the baseball and pick up the baseball and there will be a lot more baseball being played by the youngsters in Columbia.

CRAIG COUNSELL: I may have had one at-bat. I think I had one at-bat against him. But everybody is kind of facing all these pitchers for the first time, so you try to do your best to learn about them beforehand, whether it be on video or from scouting reports. And that's -- sometimes that's tough. I always think you feel more comfortable after you've faced the pitcher a couple of times. But I think everybody is in the same boat, Cleveland and us. So you just try to do your best to prepare yourself through scouting reports, coaches help, video, whatever.

EDGAR RENTERIA: That's kind of how I prepare myself normally. I like to -- I just like information. That usually helps me out. The more information I have helps me out, then I pick and choose what stuff I want to use and what stuff not to use. That's what I've tried to do, yes, since I've been here.

CRAIG COUNSELL: I grew up in Milwaukee, I went to school in South Bend, so this is outstanding weather. I can't wait to go out and play in it, to be honest with you. To me growing up, this is always what the World Series was played in, is weather like this. It's the World Series, I don't care what the weather is going to be like, to be honest with you. It's not going to be a factor from my standpoint, and I don't think -- it's going to be cold, you've got to deal with it. If you let it affect you, you're crazy.

CRAIG COUNSELL: Yes, actually I did receive a message the other morning from Paul Molitor, who just called and wished me good luck, so that was nice and pretty special.

EDGAR RENTERIA: Yes, in Miami I had quite a few friends that came up from Columbia and there were a lot of friends that came up for the game, plus my family has come up to Miami, as well. Right now in Cleveland I don't know, but with all the excitement in Columbia, I'm sure there will probably be somebody that comes up.

EDGAR RENTERIA: There's a lot, there's too many great soccer players that come out of Columbia, too many to count, I'd be counting forever. Baseball players, about one comes out every ten years, so you have to realize I have to take advantage of that opportunity and enjoy it and show what I've got.

End of FastScripts�.