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Pena's Leadership Shines Through With Rays

The Associated Press

Carlos Pena's love for the game - and his team - shines through even during the early days of spring training.

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By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: February 22, 2009

PORT CHARLOTTE - At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Rays first baseman Carlos Pena sports some broad shoulders.

He proved that in 2008, when the Gold Glove winner kept Tampa Bay's depleted lineup from wilting in the summer heat with a dynamic August.

"I don't think Carlos gets nearly as much recognition as he should have for what he did when Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria got hurt," Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. "He carried us for a long stretch."

After Crawford (right middle finger) and Longoria (fractured right wrist) were sidelined for an extended period within a day of each other in August, Pena's healthy bat led the way.

He hit nine home runs in August, tying his own club record by driving in 29 runs in the month as the Rays refused to be stricken by pennant fever.

"I'm so fortunate to be part of this club," said Pena, selected by Texas with the 10th pick in the 1998 June draft. "I thank God every day to play with these guys. I'm in the presence of some incredible talent. ... These guys don't know how good they are."

Pena, 30, faced his own challenges last season, missing 20 games in June with a broken left index finger while stumbling into the All-Star break with a .236 batting average.

Already with his sixth major-league organization, the affable Pena has found a comfortable home with the Rays, who signed him as a minor-league free agent two years ago.

"Even if things aren't going well for him, Carlos still has the ability to turn to a teammate and help him, which is unusual," Manager Joe Maddon said. "Usually, when a player struggles, the attitude becomes, 'It's all about me.' That's why Carlos is such a good leader around here."

Pena didn't stop leading once the Rays secured an AL East title.

He hit .500 against the White Sox in the Division Series, then clubbed homers in all three games at Boston's Fenway Park during the AL Championship Series before suffering through a 2-for-17 World Series.

"Last year was the most fun I've ever had in baseball - and that includes Little League," Pena said. "Everybody in Tampa Bay was behind us and our focus was very narrow. We're confident about this season because we know what we can do. As a group, we don't get caught up in a numbers game. We just go out and play."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

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