By 1990 the once promising career of 1987 National League Rookie of the Year Benito Santiago was going into decline. After hitting .300 with 18 HR's and 79 RBI's, having a 34-game hitting streak, he was coming off his second sub-.250 season. In 88 he threw out a league best 47% of runners, which he did from his knees thanks to his powerful right arm, who tried to steal on him and had a dWAR of 2.7, however, he was starting to get a reputation for being lazy and by 1991 he was talked about around the league. Santiago's offensive slump was said to be caused by the emergence of Sandy Alomar Jr who worried Santiago so much the Padres traded him to the Indians for Joe Carter. Not everyone understood his worries, the Padres former GM Jack McKeon wondered "What did he have to look over his shoulder for? he was a proven All-Star and the other guy was in Triple A. What kind of competition is that? What Benny has going on his his mind I don't know." It was said to be an example of Santiago's "tiresome insecurity." Also in 91 he was benched by manager Greg Riddoch for lack of hustle both on offense and defense. Expos manager Buck Rodgers was asked, also in 91, about Santiago and he went off criticizing what he saw as Santiago being 'lazy behind the plate. He's living off his reputation. Ever since the guys in the media made a big deal about him throwing off his knees, he lost all his fundamentals. He would have to start all over again from A-B-C. He fell in love with his media reputation. I don't mind the media writing about it, but Santiago has to be smart enough to know it's just words written on paper."
In December of 92 he signed with the expansion Marlins "who regarded him as the cornerstone of their franchise" and he would hit the team's first home run. Florida was going to be a change for the better, no more booing like he had received from Padres' fans and criticism from management. And, in no more than a few months
"The boo-birds followed him to Florida. Santiago was criticized by fans and the media for his perceived lack of enthusiasm, not blocking the plate and his anemic .230 batting average." Even Marlins' announcer Gary Carter " criticized Santiago for his lackadaisical play behind the plate. Santiago didn't adequately block the plate last season or smother wild pitches."
After that came stays in Cincinnati, Philadelphia-where he set career highs in homers with 30 and RBI's with 85-Toronto-where he was involved in a serious car accident that reduced him to 15 games in 98-the Cubs, back to the Reds and a good stay in San Francisco where he batted behind Barry Bonds and won the pennant in 02. He won the National League Championship Series when he hit .300, 2HR's and 6 RBI's in 5 games. In the World Series he slumped to a .231 but drove in 5 with no home runs. While in San Francisco he reflected on his career "When I was young, I was a dummy. I didn't appreciate the beautiful gift this game is to me. It's sad. I had a lot of ability, but no common sense. I wasted a lot of good years." In the previous few seasons he had gained a reputation as being a good teammate, good game caller and a hard worker.
Santiago signed for Kansas in 04 and played his final game on April 11, 2005 for the Pirates.
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