Renteria says he wanted out

Edgar Renteria last night acknowledged that he ''wanted out of Boston," but not because of the Boston fans (he called them ''more demanding" than those in St. Louis but said he came to appreciate it) or his comfort level with the American League (he said it was increasing). Rather, he cited the Fenway infield, which he said contributed to his major league-leading 30 errors.

''It's one of the main reasons why I didn't feel comfortable," he said, speaking in Spanish yesterday when reached by phone in Miami.

''I worked a lot last year to feel comfortable and just couldn't. It's one of the reasons why I wanted out of Boston."

He did not cite any other reasons for wanting to be moved.

''The ball bounces too much in the field of the shortstop, where I play," he said. ''The field is not good like other stadiums. One day it's bad, the next day, it's worse . . . I was uncomfortable the whole year."

The 30-year-old shortstop also confirmed last night that he dealt with back and leg injuries this season, which he said limited him to ''50 to 60 percent" at times, though he didn't say how much of the season he spent coping with those injuries.

Renteria said he ''pulled [his] lower back and leg" catching a ground ball, though he wasn't specific as to when that occurred. He was clear in that it handicapped him.

''It was really uncomfortable," he said. ''It is not the same thing to play at 100 percent than at 50 or 60 percent. But I think that God doesn't let his children get roughed up."

He laughed, then continued.

''Well, look, I tried a year and I didn't do as well as I have always done in baseball, and right there, [God] pulled me out. I have to thank Boston and Atlanta for asking about me. Now I go to a good city to play baseball and to be spiritually calm.

''It's not the same playing injured than playing 100 percent," said Renteria, who was such a disappointment that the club dealt him to Atlanta last week for a top prospect and cash, absorbing $22 million of his four-year, $40 million contract, plus a $1 million bonus for dealing him. ''But I don't excuse my errors on the physical injuries.

''I think I gave them a lesson of what a baseball player is. That regardless of any little thing that hurts him, he can still play. I am that kind of baseball player that doesn't get hurt with any little thing. I like playing instead. I like helping my team win and we made it [to the postseason]. We couldn't accomplish the objective of getting a World Series and a ring. But all of that is affected when you are injured."

Renteria, a cerebral and internally motivated individual, acknowledged, ''I don't feel proud [of my season]. But I feel I got experience. This had never happened to me and now I know what other ballplayers go through when they have this kind of season almost every year."

Asked if he regrets ever coming to Boston, he said, ''Never, never. Whoever says that is wrong, because Boston is one of the best cities to play in."

Asked if he found the fans excessively demanding, he said, ''At the beginning I felt a little bit uncomfortable, but after the first half I took a liking to it.

''The city fascinated me," said Renteria. ''I really liked it. I think it's one of the best cities to live in. But that's how the sport is. Today we are somewhere and tomorrow we could be playing in Japan. You have to try to live the best in every city and try to get as much experience as you can."

Though he said he wanted out of town, Renteria also expressed surprise at being traded.

''I never imagined it," he said. ''But, you always know that it can happen, you know what I mean? One day you're here and tomorrow you don't know where you'll be. That's why we never rely completely on the team but simply try to do the best on the field."

Renteria, who looked older and slower than his age last season, has been working with a personal trainer since November.

''I'm still training hard and preparing myself for what may come next year," he said. ''To demonstrate that I can, that I still can [play at a high level]."

He does believe he's better suited to the NL.

''I feel more comfortable in the National League because I played for nine years in the National League," he said. ''But in the American League, I was starting to feel more comfortable.

''I feel very happy. I know the National League very well and Atlanta is a great organization. The truth is that I am content. Not because I left Boston, but because I'm going to a team like Atlanta."

What would he tell the Boston fans?

''I would say, 'Thank you. Thank you very much,' " he said. ''I know they trusted me the first time they signed me. And it hurts me that we couldn't make it to the World Series and win a ring, but that's baseball. And they understand that's baseball. This is a business and we all have to move forward."

Though the possibility seems remote, Renteria said he hopes he gets the chance to play here again.

''I hope I'm given the chance before I retire," he said.

Dave Wilder, one of the external candidates interviewed for the Sox' GM opening, said last night that he was told by Larry Lucchino during last week's winter meetings that the Sox ''were going to stay in-house for now, stay with the committee." And while neither Lucchino nor owner John Henry responded to e-mails last night, Wilder's read on the situation supports the belief that internal candidates Ben Cherington and Jed Hoyer soon will be named co-GMs, with Theo Epstein possibly returning to advise them.

Henry, meanwhile, in an e-mail to the Associated Press last night, said Lucchino would not have his power reduced in order for the team to bring back Epstein. ''People currently speculating about a reduced role for Larry Lucchino don't know what they are talking about," Henry told the AP. ''It's completely absurd."

Henry deferred all GM inquiries to Lucchino, who told the AP, ''Restructuring announcements [are] due this week."

No developments emerged yesterday in the Manny Ramírez-for-Miguel Tejada talks between the Sox and Orioles, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation. Both All-Star players have asked out of their respective towns, and the Sox on Friday offered their disgruntled left fielder to the Orioles for their malcontent shortstop. Still, the Orioles hope to talk Tejada into staying, and Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan talked with Tejada and his agents over the weekend. ''We had long conversations with Tejada and his agents," Flanagan told the AP. ''What came out of it was the sentiment that Miguel wants to play for a winner. Our goal is the same. We want to be a winner." Tejada has four years and $48 million in base pay remaining on a six-year, $72 million deal. However, even if the teams were to come to agreement, Ramírez would have to OK any deal, given his 10-5 status. He also could hold up any deal by demanding an extension to the three years and $57 million remaining on his present contract. His agent, Greg Genske, said last week that the possibility of extending Ramírez's contract would be a question that would have to come up with any potential suitor.