BOSTON — Carlos Pena is an emotional guy, so that fact that he cried this past offseason shouldn't surprise anybody that knows the ex-Haverhill High star.
But there were a few cries, all related to joy, particularly at the expense of your Boston Red Sox, that stuck out for the Tampa Bay Rays cleanup hitter.
Pena's baseball resume was upgraded in 2008, most notably when he played and succeeded in the post-season.
His 3-run homer over the Green Monster in 14th inning on Sept. 10 against Mike Timlin, which gave the Rays the pivotal series win was maybe his biggest hit of the regular season.
He also homered in all three games against the Red Sox at Fenway Park in October before scoring the tying run in Game 7 — he beat out a double play and later scored on a double.
In the World Series, despite being mired in an 0-for-20 slump, he had two key hits, including an RBI double, that extended Game 5 before the Phillies came back to win.
The Gold Glove Award he received in 2008, which was the first ever for a Ray, was the cherry on top.
It was whirlwind that took some time to soak in.
"I did put in some tapes sometimes to look back and there were times I had tears in my eyes watching it," recalled Pena. "I always dreamed of being in situations like that when I was playing ball in Haverhill. I've dreamt about it my entire life ... And the fact that some of them were here, against the Red Sox? Man, that's special."
Doubts about Pena and his penchant for inconsistency have long since died.
The fact that he was an MVP candidate in 2007 — .282, 46 HRs, 121 RBI — for an also-ran team in the American League East was followed by a more than respectable season last year at .247, 31 HRs and 102 RBI which are even more impressive considering his slow start through May (.227).
"Numbers are great, but they don't matter," said Pena. "It's about winning here. That's all that matters. It's a great feeling to play the game that way."
Speaking of winning, Pena and the Rays are back at Fenway Park and, quite frankly, they are the odd team out.
The Red Sox and Yankees — in any order — are the go-to teams in the AL East this season for obvious reasons. The Yankees have the best team money can buy and the Red Sox are flirting with "dynasty" status.
The American League pennant winners might be good, say "people in the know," but they aren't good enough.
"Isn't that the way it always is?" said Pena. "That's fine. It doesn't matter to us. That's what makes this team so special. We don't focus on the turmoil going on outside of here. We know we are in the best division in baseball and we will have to play really well to win."
Pena says there isn't much different than the Rays team he is on now than the one that played a year ago, except of course the rings they will be receiving for winning the ALCS.
"We have added a few guys who will definitely help us," said Pena, referring to designated hitter Pat Burrell, ex-Sox reserve outfielder Gabe Kapler and 40-year-old lefty specialist Brian Shouse. "But when I look through this clubhouse, I see a lot of the same. I see a lot of guys that care for each other and only focus on the task at hand."
Pena says the Rays Game 7 win over the Red Sox probably best exemplifies that fact.
"Look, Game 5 was tough to take, leading 7-0 and then blowing it," said Pena. "But we were able to come back in Game 7, when a lot of people probably thought we were finished."
Pena, though, said the loss to the Phillies in five games (4-1) was humbling. As great as 2008 was, there are bigger rings to win.
"I love this team," said Pena. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, Tampa is home to me. My life couldn't be better. There were times this winter when I said to myself, 'How can you be happier?'
"I am humbly respectful of what we did," said Pena. "Now we will try to do it again, one day at a time. I can't wait."
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.
Stoglin's frustrations boil over following Duke loss-2/12
Timonen "disappointed" in teammates' effort
Morganti: 'Rangers' power play demolished the Flyers'
Timonen: 'I think we got half the guys going and half the guys not'
More shootout woes in store for the Flyers when they face the Red Wings?
The Rangers have the Flyers' number
St. Joseph's vs. Massachusetts Highlights - 2/11
Penn vs. Dartmouth Highlights - 2/11
Drexel vs. Hofstra Highlights - 2/11
La Salle vs. St. Louis Highlights - 2/11
John Wall talks about the loss to the Heat-2/10
Collins takes the blame for the Sixers' final possession
Sixers vs. Clippers highlights
Sixers defensive effort not enough vs. Clippers
Post game plus crew on the Sixers loss
Rose and Zumoff recap the Sixers last second loss
Penn vs. Harvard highlights
Stefon Diggs chooses Maryland, Randy Edsall comments-2/10
Cal Ripken says the Orioles will go as far as their pitching-2/10
Sandusky makes a statement
Julien: 'did it the hard way'
McAdam's Spring Training primer
Doc: Team's effort is 'un-Celtic'
Pierce stresses mental toughness
Globe 10.0 Who was the best free agent in Boston?
Maria Menounos dons a Giants-colored bikini after losing Super Bowl bet-2/7
Thomas' moratorium: 'I'm out, peace'
Gasol: 'Not pleasant' being part of trade rumor
Blakely: Gasol-for-Rondo trade unlikely
Brady-ing is Latest Internet Meme
Globe 10.0: Is Paul Pierce the Celtics greatest scorer?
Ranking Pierce among Celtics greats
Garnett's tale of first meeting Paul Pierce
Pierce's loyalty touted after big night
Hurt Locker: Patriots react to Super Bowl loss
Brown: 'Eli Manning is better than Tom Brady'
Local fans crushed by Patriots loss in Super Bowl XLVI
Marcus Johansson Caps lone goal in loss to Bruins-2/5
Matt Hendricks throws down with the Bruins' Adam McQuaid--2/5
Vinatieri, Law, Brown recount Super Bowl XXXVI
