Peña back with Rays, hopes to create more memories

The familiar smile that shone through the dark days and then helped transform the Tampa Bay Rays into a perennial playoff contender returned Tuesday to Tropicana Field.

Its owner, Carlos Peña, officially rejoined the Rays, having passed a morning physical.

"I'm glad to be back," Peña said. "As simple as you can explain it, I'm happy to be a Ray again."

And the Rays are happy to have Peña back.

The Rays' former first baseman was welcomed back Tuesday afternoon on a series of billboards throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Peña, who agreed to a one-year deal worth $7.25 million, is the team's all-time leading home run hitter with 144 and owns the single-season record with the career-high 46 he hit during 2007, his breakout season.

He also won a Gold Glove in 2008 for his defense at first base and helped the Rays to a pair of American League East Division titles (2008, 2010) and a trip to the 2008 World Series.

Rays team president Matt Silverman, who introduced Peña during a late-afternoon press conference at Tropicana Field and helped Peña slip into his familiar No. 23 jersey, called Peña, "The one-man marketing team for the Rays."

That was after Peña professed his love for his old/new teammates, the team's front office, the fan base and the Gulf Coast beaches.

"You miss it all," Peña said of spending the 2011 season playing for the Chicago Cubs.

Peña said he and his Cubs teammates watched the Rays rally for the Wild Card spot on the final night of the regular season, and felt part of the celebration because of his role in turning the franchise from hapless to a team that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Yankees and Red Sox.

He said he was "flattered" when he learned the Rays had interest in re-signing him, and added it was a "no-brainer" to accept their offer.

Peña always made it clear he never wanted to leave after the 2010 season, but was part of the huge payroll cut. He said he returned to help the Rays tend to some unfinished business.

"I always felt there was another chapter to be written," he said.