Carlos' Corner: Tomorrow is a brand new day
The rookie first-basemen talks about facing his old team on his first
Opening Day
By Carlos Pena / Special to MLB.com

Carlos Peña, 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, Peña is considered one of the top prospects in the game and is
providing for MLB.com an exclusive daily diary for the 2002 season.

Peña started at first base in Oakland's final Spring Training game on
Sunday and went one-for four with a double and RBI.

OAKLAND -- Spring is over, and I'm looking forward to Opening Day and
the season. I'm very excited for the season to start and to be a part
of this team. I know that all I want to do is contribute any way I
can.

Tomorrow is big -- not just because it is Opening Day, but because
I'll be facing my old team, the Texas Rangers. It puts a little more
spice into Opening Day and into this opening series. Even though I'll
have alot of friends over there tomorrow, I'll be bringing the best
game I can against them.

There won't be any pity involved. As much as I am friends with a lot
of those guys. I won't say I'll try any harder because it's the
Rangers, because I don't believe in that. I'm just going to go out
there and go at it.

I'm looking forward to seeing those guys though. Especially Mike
Young, who's my closest friend over there that's in the big leagues.

And of course, I'm looking forward to seeing Alex (Rodriguez) again.
Tomorrow is a brand new day. A brand new season.

I'm ready.

Carlos' Corner was told to Kent Schacht, who is the Editorial
Producer for OaklandAthletics.com. This story was not subject to the
approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.