Carlos Peña facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carlos Peña |
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Peña broadcasting the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
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| First baseman | |||
| Born: May 17, 1978 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
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| debut | |||
| September 5, 2001, for the Texas Rangers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| July 12, 2014, for the Texas Rangers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .232 | ||
| Home runs | 286 | ||
| Runs batted in | 818 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Carlos Felipe Peña, born on May 17, 1978, is a former professional baseball player from the Dominican Republic. He played as a first baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB). After his playing career, he became a sports broadcaster.
Peña played for several MLB teams. These included the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, and Kansas City Royals. Even though he was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he spent much of his childhood in the United States.
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Early Life and College Baseball
Carlos Peña is the second of five children. His parents are Felipe and Juana Marisela Peña. When Carlos was 12, his family moved from the Dominican Republic to the United States. They first lived with one of his uncles.
Peña finished high school in Haverhill, Massachusetts, in 1995. He first went to Wright State University in Ohio. After one year, he returned home and attended Northeastern University in Boston. There, he studied electrical engineering.
Playing in College
While in college, Peña played in the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL). This league showcases top amateur players every summer. He played for the Harwich Mariners in 1996. In 1997, he joined the Wareham Gatemen.
In 1997, Peña was named the CCBL league's Most Valuable Player (MVP). He was later added to the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2003. During his time at Northeastern, Peña helped his team, the Northeastern Huskies, reach one NCAA tournament. He had a batting average of .324 and hit 24 home runs in two seasons.
Carlos Peña's Professional Baseball Career
Carlos Peña was chosen by the Texas Rangers in the first round of the 1998 Major League Baseball draft. He was the 10th player picked overall.
Starting with the Texas Rangers
In 1998, Peña played for three different Rangers minor league teams. Before the 1999 season, Baseball America magazine listed him as the 93rd best young player. In 1999, he played for the Charlotte Rangers, a Single-A team. He hit .255 with 18 home runs in 138 games.
In 2000, Peña moved up to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers. He hit .299 with 28 home runs and 105 RBI in 138 games.
By 2001, Baseball America ranked Peña as the 11th best young player. He was also the Rangers' top prospect. He played for the Oklahoma Redhawks, the Rangers' Triple-A team. In 119 games, he hit .288 with 23 home runs and 74 RBIs. He was also a Triple-A All-Star in 2001.
After the minor league season, the Rangers called Peña up to the major leagues in September. He made his MLB debut on September 5, 2001. He started at first base and wore number 15. He finished the 2001 season with a .258 batting average and three home runs in 22 games.
Playing for the Oakland Athletics
On January 14, 2002, the Rangers traded Peña to the Oakland Athletics. He played 40 games for the A's, hitting .218 with seven home runs and 16 RBIs. He also spent some time with the Triple-A Sacramento team.
Peña was mentioned in the book Moneyball. He was also a small character in the movie based on the book.
Time with the Detroit Tigers
Peña was part of a big three-team trade on July 6, 2002. He joined the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers needed a first baseman because of injuries. Peña made his Tigers debut the next day. He played 75 games for the Tigers in 2002. He hit .253 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs. Overall in 2002, he hit .242 with 19 home runs and 52 RBIs in 115 games.
In 2003, Peña played his first full season as the Tigers' main first baseman. On May 19, he hit three home runs and had seven RBIs in one game. He played in 131 games, hitting .248 with 18 home runs and 59 RBIs.
In 2004, Peña had his best season so far. He played 142 games, hit 27 home runs, and had 82 RBIs. On May 27, 2004, he got six hits in one game against the Kansas City Royals. This tied a Tigers' record for hits in a nine-inning game.
Peña started the 2005 season as the Tigers' first baseman. After 40 games, he was sent to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. He played well there, hitting .311 with 12 home runs. He was called back up to the Tigers in August. He finished 2005 with 18 home runs and 44 RBIs in 79 games. The Tigers released him in March 2006. While with the Tigers, Peña hit the longest home run ever at Comerica Park, traveling 461 feet.
Short Stints with Other Teams
Peña signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees in April 2006. He played for their Triple-A team, the Columbus Clippers. He hit 19 home runs and had 66 RBIs in 105 games. He then became a free agent in August.
On August 17, 2006, Peña signed with the Boston Red Sox. He played 11 games for their Triple-A team, Pawtucket, hitting very well. He was called up to the Red Sox on August 28. On September 4, he hit a "walk-off" home run, which means it won the game in the last inning. He played 18 games for the Red Sox, hitting .273 with one home run.
Success with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Peña signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in February 2007. He had a great season in 2007, setting many career highs. He finished with a .282 batting average, 46 home runs, and 121 RBIs. These numbers were all career bests for him. He was second in the American League in home runs. His home run, RBI, and walk totals set new records for the Rays team.
Because of his amazing season, Peña was named the 2007 American League Comeback Player of the Year. He was also considered for the AL MVP award. He was allowed to donate $20,000 to help young people in the Dominican Republic.
In 2008, Peña hit 31 home runs and had 102 RBIs. One of his home runs, on September 19, was the first time a call was changed by instant replay in MLB history. After the 2008 season, he won his first Gold Glove Award for being an excellent defensive first baseman. This was also the first Gold Glove for a Tampa Bay Rays player.
Peña was chosen for the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He also took part in the 2009 Home Run Derby. On September 7, 2009, he broke two fingers after being hit by a pitch. This ended his 2009 season early. Even so, he tied for the lead in home runs in the American League with 39.
In 2010, Peña hit 28 home runs and had 84 RBIs for the Rays. His contract with the Rays ended after the 2010 season. In the 2010 playoffs, he helped the Rays tie their series against the Texas Rangers.
Later Career and Retirement
On December 8, 2010, Peña signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. In 153 games, he hit .225 with 28 home runs and 80 RBIs as the Cubs' starting first baseman.
Peña returned to the Tampa Bay Rays for a second time on January 20, 2012. He signed a one-year deal. On opening day, April 6, 2012, he hit a grand slam and the game-winning hit against the Yankees. He played in 160 games in 2012, hitting 19 home runs and having 61 RBIs.
On December 17, 2012, Peña signed with the Houston Astros. He was their designated hitter for their first season in the American League. He was released by the Astros in July 2013.
Peña then signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals in August 2013. He played in four games for them. In January 2014, he signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but was released in March.
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On June 17, 2014, Peña signed a minor league deal to return to the Texas Rangers. He played 18 games for them before being released in August.
After not playing for over a year, Peña signed a one-day contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. This allowed him to officially retire as a member of the team he had so much success with. Peña became eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020, but he did not receive enough votes to be considered further.
Broadcasting Career
In December 2014, MLB Network announced that Carlos Peña had joined them as a studio analyst. This means he talks about baseball on TV.
In September 2017, Peña appeared on New England Sports Network (NESN). He worked as a studio analyst and also helped call games as a color commentator for the Red Sox.
In February 2019, Peña was announced as part of the NESN broadcast team for the Red Sox' 2019 season. He filled in when the regular commentators were not available. He also worked for Cubs Postgame Live on Marquee Sports Network. In January 2024, Peña joined the Bally Sports Detroit broadcast team for the Detroit Tigers. He provides color commentary for many games.
Personal Life and Community Work
After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Carlos Peña helped by donating food and medical supplies. He also made appearances to raise money for the victims. He said it was about "people uniting for a good cause."
Peña is also a spokesperson for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. In 2008, he was the Rays' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. This award is given to players who show great sportsmanship and help their community. He has also worked with other charity events. Carlos and his wife, Pamela, have three children.
See also
In Spanish: Carlos Peña (beisbolista) para niños
- List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
- List of Major League Baseball single-game hits leaders
