Carlos' Corner: 'I'll adapt if I have to'
Pinch-running Peņa says team comes first
By Carlos Peņa
Special to MLB.com
Carlos Peņa, a 23-year-old rookie, was acquired by Oakland during the
offseason in a six-player trade with Texas. Expected to replace Jason
Giambi as the A's starting first baseman, perhaps as soon as Opening
Day, Peņa is considered one of the top prospects in the game and is
providing for MLB.com an exclusive daily diary for the 2002 season.
Peņa didn't start Sunday against the Brewers, but he entered the game
as a pinch-runner in the eighth inning and stayed in to play defense
in the ninth. After the game, he addressed the importance of staying
mentally into the game when he's on the bench.
PHOENIX -- I haven't thought of how the regular season is gonna go
because I need to just focus on today, every day. But if I do make
the big-league club, what I did today -- pinch-running and playing
defense late in the game -- is something that I might be asked to do.
That's fine with me, believe me. First of all, that means I'm in the
big leagues, and that's my goal. But more important, I'll be happy to
do whatever the team wants me to do because in any competition, team
comes first. You have to be willing to contribute in any way that you
can, and that's the No. 1 key to winning a championship.
We're all going for that ring in this business, and you only get
there if you have a group of individuals willing to make sacrifices.
I want to be a regular in the Major Leagues, an everyday player, and
I know that I'm gonna get that chance someday. But I don't know if
it's going to be this year or this month or whatever, and until that
day comes, I'll do whatever it takes.
It's not always easy, especially for people who have been a starter
everywhere else they've played. But you can't let your pride get in
the way. If I have to share time with Scott Hatteberg, who's just
killing the ball this spring, that's OK. Eric Chavez had to share
time when he first came up. Terrence Long went through the same
thing. And look at them now. They're stars in the big leagues. My
time will come, too.
So when I'm on the bench, I know that I have to stay mentally ready
for whatever. It's strange because I'm used to playing every day, but
it's something that I'll adapt to if I have to, because that's what's
good for the team.
Carlos Peņa's diary appears as told to Mychael Urban of OaklandAthletics.com.
