Carlos' Corner: In the dugout
A's rookie talks about the energy in Oakland's dugout
By Carlos Peņa / MLB.com
Carlos Peņa, a 23-year-old rookie heralded as one of the top
prospects in the game, was acquired by Oakland during the offseason
in a six-player trade with Texas. He's replacing Jason Giambi as the
A's first baseman and is providing for MLB.com an exclusive daily
diary for the 2002 season.
Before Sunday's game against the Angels and one day after an 8-7
Oakland comeback victory, Peņa talked about the special energy in the
A's dugout.
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The dugout is a fun place. Especially when we
start scoring runs. A couple of times this year, we've had some
rallies, some comebacks, and there is so much energy in there. A
pitcher will throw a ball in the dirt, or get a ball called, and
there will be so much cheering and talking. I love it.
This team is very young, we have lots of energy, and that really
shines through in the dugout during a game. It reminds me of when we
were really young playing ball. It's a lot like Little League.
I love the fact that these guys -- my teammates -- have never lost
sight of the fact that they're playing a game, and having fun doing
it.
That really strong feeling of being part of a team is especially true
when somebody does something on the field. I'll be sitting in the
dugout and Chavvy will hit a home run, and I can feel it, the
excitement, its so amazing. I feel like I hit it. It's so satisfying.
It's the ultimate team feeling and feeling of loyalty, to know that
all those guys on the bench have your back, and you've got theirs.
Of course, things don't go well all the time on the field, so that's
a different vibe in the dugout.
If I've just struck out, I'll come into the dugout, and you really
feel that loyalty. Guys won't say anything to me, but they'll come up
and pat me on the back. It's like they're saying, "I'm here." That's
proof of the team concept right there.
And that's why I love it so much in the dugout. We're in the midst of
battle, but we're all there together. We laugh together, we cry
together, cheer together.
It's such a special place.
Carlos Peņa's diary appears as told to Kent Schacht, an editorial
producer for MLB.com.
