Projo Sox Blog

BY DANIEL BARBARISI
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Carlos Pena doesn't believe in playoff experience. But he does believe in momentum. And while the Rays may not have the former, he thinks they definitely now have the latter.

"No doubt. I think momentum is important in baseball," said the Tampa Bay first baseman. "It definitely helps when we win in the bottom of the ninth, in such a dramatic fashion, with so much energy, it's so loud, and with so much excitement, it's a good thing."

As for the experience factor?

"I think that's a little bit overrated. What does experience do? Do they play calmer, they don't let the moment get to themselves? I'm not sure what experience does. I don't think there's anything wrong with actually enjoying the moment and understanding how special it is. And we definitely do that, and when we get between the lines, we just play the game like it's a regular ballgame, a regular season ballgame."

Pena, who grew up in the Boston area and attended Northeastern University, is trying to soak in the moment -- in between the ticket requests and attention from friends and family.

"It's definitely very exciting, I'm trying to enjoy this to the max. I don't take this for granted. To come back to Boston, to New England, with the Rays in the ALCS is definitely special. It's one of those moments that I will never forget, and I'm trying to soak it all in."

 Tags  Carlos Pena Dan Barbarisi

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