Santiago Says He Is Treated Like ‘Baby’ : Baseball: All-Star catcher, benched for ‘lack of hustle,’ defends his effort, saying ‘I play 100%.’

Benito Santiago, the Padres’ All-Star catcher, accused Manager Greg Riddoch of treating him like a baby Friday, one day after Riddoch yanked Santiago out of the lineup for “lack of hustle.”

“Why do we have to start this (stuff) again?” Santiago said. “Every year, they try to make me look like a little baby. (Riddoch) knows I play 100% for him.”

Riddoch pulled Santiago after the fourth inning Thursday, when Santiago slowed up on his way to first after grounding to Houston shortstop Eric Yelding. Yelding’s throw was wild, and Santiago was safe. But at the end of the inning, Santiago was gone, replaced by back-up Tom Lampkin.

According to Santiago, Riddoch never gave the catcher a reason for taking him out of the game. Friday, Riddoch said he intended to speak with Santiago before that night’s game, but as of game time, the two had yet to talk.

“I didn’t think I did nothing wrong,” Santiago said. “I grounded the ball to shortstop; if the guy makes a good throw I was going to be out.”

Santiago also was kept out of Friday night’s game as a disciplinary measure. When asked if Santaigo would miss only Friday’s game, Riddoch said, “I don’t know.”

Santiago said he learned of Riddoch’s plan to bench him in Friday night’s game by reading Friday morning’s paper.

“He should have talked to me (Thursday) night instead of (to the media),” Santiago said. “He should have talked to me first. Believe me, I’ve got no problems. I’m fine. I’m healthy.

“I think I don’t deserve this. He made me look like a crying baby to the whole town here in San Diego. What do they think about me now? They think I’m a lazy . . .”

Riddoch said after Friday’s 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros that Santiago probably would be back in the starting lineup today.

“I didn’t have a chance (to talk to Santiago on Thursday),” Riddoch said. “I asked him to talk today, and he didn’t want to. It’s time to grow up.”

Riddoch is the third manager with whom Santiago has had problems. In the past, Santiago has been benched by Larry Bowa for a lack of concentration and for defensive lapses and by Jack McKeon for not being selective enough at the plate.

And this hasn’t been Santiago’s best season. He is batting only .232 and has thrown out only 13 of 35 runners attempting to steal. Montreal Manager Buck Rodgers said earlier this month that the media praise Santiago has received for throwing runners out from his knees has gone to his head and that he is no longer among the top 10 National League catchers defensively.

Santiago, who is making $1.65 million this season, rejected a four-year, $11 million contract before his arbitration hearing in February.

“Every year, this happens,” Santiago said. “I never talk; I never open my mouth to (the media). If I’ve got to say something, I’ll say it in (Riddoch’s) office. He can do the same with me.

“It’s not that tough to go to my locker and pick me up.”