For 31/2 seasons, the former Haverhill High star lived the life that was a Tiger, toiling in the shadows of the sparse crowds, constant losing and seemingly hollow promises that better times were around the corner. Now, Detroit has been blinded by the light at the end of the tunnel, currently playing in its first World Series since 1984, with Pena finding himself miles away from the action at Comerica Park.

Tending to errands in and around his Orlando home before heading out for the Dominican Republic Winter League is the priority, not being subjected to a television which would surely induce an unwelcome wave of what-might-have-been's.

"I probably will," Pena said when asked if he will be watching Detroit's best-of-seven matchup with St. Louis. "I don't have it on my agenda, but I'm pretty sure I'll catch a glimpse."

The way the story has played out for Pena seems almost too cruel for a player considered by most in baseball as one of the good guys. Playing regularly at first base for the Tigers, he lived through the 43-win season of '03, and then a slightly-improved '04 campaign in which Detroit managed 72 victories. In '05, his time was cut back due to the emergence of Chris Shelton, making that season of 71 wins even more insufferable.

Finally, with Detroit bringing in new manager Jim Leyland, Pena's time with the Tigers came to an end when he was released by the club toward the end of this season's spring training. It appeared, at the time, like a reprieve from the insanity that came with playing for an organization which hadn't made the postseason since '87.

But, as has been evidenced by the images strewn across TVs the last two nights, sticking around the Motor City might not have been a bad thing after all.

"It was a situation where it didn't work out for me in Detroit, but I have all of these good friends there and it's impossible to not to root for them," Pena said. "It's weird because you know that the front office made a decision and you were not included, whether it was business related or whatever it may be, but it doesn't take away from how much appreciation I have for my friends who are still there. I'm left with so many good friendships that I have to root for them. It's just in my nature. I have to do it because if I didn't, I would be going against what my feelings are."

Many of the acquaintances of which Pena speaks make up the core of young players the Tigers have ridden through the bad times to get to the good. The first baseman figured to be part of that foundation when he was traded from the Oakland A's to Detroit on July 5, 2002, going on to 75 home runs in his time with the Tigers (one every 19.5 at-bats).

Whatever inconsistencies Pena did show, they were no more frustrating that of a Tigers pitching staff which was second to last in the American League in both '03 and '04. Current World Series starters Jeremy Bonderman and Nate Robertson both finished '04 with ERAs nearing 5.00. A trend changed slightly the following season when Bonderman finished at 4.57 and Robertson at 4.48.

Meanwhile, the now widely-praised Detroit bullpen was struggling, with nobody totaling more than nine saves all of last season. Current flame-throwing beacons of hope - Joel Zumaya and Justin Verlander - were still in the minors, with fellow fireballer Fernando Rodney continuing to battle injuries.

But then came this season and, as Pena observed early on in spring training, a lot had changed.

"It was a totally different atmosphere," he said. "You have to credit Mr. Leyland in that he has brought out the best in his players, which is what the best managers do. But I think the big difference has been the pitching.

"Guys like Robertson, (Mike) Maroth, and Bonderman, you knew these guys had the talent, but obviously were inexperienced. Well, guess what? They add a couple of veteran pitchers in (Kenny) Rogers and (Todd) Jones and that adds a whole another dynamic. Rodney has been hurt the past three years, so he finally gets the ball, pitches, and is doing what he is doing now. So now you have this bullpen and these starting pitchers who have become reliable. Even though Leyland has done a great job in bringing out the best in these guys, it's still a totally different pitching staff.

"These guys have unbelievable makeup. Maroth, Robertson, and Bonderman are just amazing as far as that is concerned. That pitching staff makes all the difference, in my opinion. That has been the key."

If watching the Tigers pitchers consistently dominate isn't foreign enough, the pictures of a baseball-crazed stadium in the heart of Detroit offers another reminder that this isn't the same team Pena left behind. Just three years before, Detroit had the second-worst home attendance in all of the American League.

"I always dreamt of that idea, being able to have Detroit be a force in the league, and they have finally been able to do that this year," Pena said. "It has always been a great baseball city, and this year they had a great team and the fans responded."

But instead of basking in the excitement surrounding Leyland's Tigers, Pena is forced to figure out what the future will bring. He recently filed for free agency after spending the season's final six weeks hitting .273 in 18 games with the Red Sox, the team he makes no secret as being his preferred employer for next season.

"I believe my opportunity will arrive, sooner or later, to play a little more regularly," he said. "In the meantime I'll always do whatever I have to do. I haven't heard from the Red Sox, but they did say they have some interest in me. As a professional, filing for free agency was the best thing for me, but by no means does that mean the Red Sox are ruled out. There's a good chance I might sign with (Boston), depending on the interest they show and the opportunity they present me.

"You really do not have control over your future. You might be an incredibly talented player, but decisions aren't always made with that in mind. Sometimes it's money related, or they have to move somebody over to make room in the budget. There's nothing you can do about it except keeping going forward and thinking that one day you will get a shot to win a World Series ring."