By Felipe Peña / Special to MLB.com

Carlos Pena's mother, father and sister Femaris attend Thursday's game at Yankee Stadium. (MLB.com)

Carlos Peña, 23, was acquired by Oakland during the offseason in a six-player trade with Texas. He's the A's rookie starting first baseman, and he's providing for MLB.com an exclusive daily diary for the 2002 season.

Peña's parents came to New York from their home in the New England area for the A's three-game series with the Yankees, and after Thursday's series finale, Peña's father Felipe talked at length about watching his son play in the Major Leagues for the first time. In the first part of three guest appearances in 'Carlos' Corner' Felipe Peña talks about what went through his mind when he saw Carlos take the field for the first time in the Majors Tuesday.

NEW YORK -- When I saw him come on the field Tuesday, I had many flashbacks -- comparing that experience, at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday to his first Winter ball game in the Dominican League -- in Santo Domingo in 1999 to even further back.

My flashbacks went from the little leagues -- from when he first started playing organized baseball, when he was six or seven years old. I remember watching him very early hit a line drive -- and I thought "wow, he has a great power."

I was playing it all in my mind - from Major Leagues to Little League - and back. From his different stages, he's taken the same approach to the game, same approach to becoming a perfectionist.

Everyone in the family was so delighted at watching him play - battling the top pitchers on the Yankees. We all hope and wish that his dream keeps going.

Our experience here was also the first time we ever attended a game at Yankee Stadium. I've been really impressed by the structure and especially the excitement of the fans cheering the team.

You could feel the ghosts of this place -- like Carlos said -- and we hope and wish that Carlos career is nothing but successful like so many that have played here.

I like to use an expression I've learned in America -- keep my fingers crossed. I've got my fingers taped together so that they're always crossed, that God continues to give Carlos the strength and protection so that he'll continue to get the opportunity to show his game and stay healthy.

Felipe Peña 's diary appears as told to Kent Schacht, who is a editorial producer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.