Final Dr Pepper Texas Rangers Monthly Luncheon a hit
Jerry Narron, Frank Catalanotto and Carlos Pena were featured speakers
By Rob Scichili
TexasRangers.com

ARLINGTON, Texas - The final Dr Pepper Texas Rangers Monthly Luncheon of the 2001 season was held on Friday, Sept. 21 at the Diamond Club at The Ballpark in Arlington.

Rangers rookie Carlos Pena was one of the featured speakers, and told the crowd about how he and his family first moved to the United States in 1992 from the Dominican Republic.

"My father thought it was a good opportunity for all of us," Pena said.

The first baseman came over with his parents, his two brothers and one sister.

"It was tough in the beginning because we didn't know the language. But we took one year of bilingual classes and then went into full English classes," the well-spoken Pena added.

Pena went to Northeastern University as an engineering major, earning a 3.3 GPA. His two brothers, Omar and Pedro, are currently studying architecture and engineering, respectively. The two are also playing on the Northeastern baseball team. His sister is a communications major.

	Carlos Pena was the Rangers' first round pick in 1998.

"We want to make our parents proud because of the sacrifices they have made," Pena said.

Pena is thankful for how his life has transpired. His dreams are coming true before his eyes.

"When I was in high school, I wanted to be drafted so bad," he said. "It was my dream to be a pro baseball player. I was not drafted though, and went to college. But I never lost the dream.

"To come out the way it has - being selected in the first round by Texas - I have been blessed. I'm grateful for the opportunity and I hope to take advantage of it."

Frank Catalanotto, who is currently ranks second in the American League in batting, was also featured at the luncheon.

Catalanotto talked about his long climb to the Major Leagues.

"I was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1992," Catalanotto said. "I was about to go play at Seton Hall, but I decided to go to the pros and give it a shot. I spent five years in the minors and worked hard. It has paid off."

Catalanotto credits the Arizona Fall League as a big part of making him a better player. The Rangers left fielder played in the league in 1994 and 1995.

"It's amazing how most of the guys in that league, the stat leaders, are now in the big leagues. It was really enjoyable for me. It made me a better ballplayer.

"To face the better pitchers helped me out a lot. The more pitching you see, the better approach you will have at the plate. It worked for me. The biggest thing I got out of the Arizona Fall League is that I can think with the pitcher now and anticipate what he is going to throw."

	Frank Catalanotto admits he watches the box scores of the other players in the AL batting title race.

Catalanotto is amazed to be in contention for the AL batting title. He trails Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki by about eight points, and checks the Mariners box score every day.

"I'm not going to lie to you - I check (the Seattle box score) right when I get up in the morning. For me to be hitting .340 blows my mind and to be ranked among the superstars is a thrill.

"But when I step up at the plate, all of that goes away. I know I have a job to do."

Catalanotto was asked what he and his fiancée Barbara like the most about Texas.

"That's easy," Catalanotto said. "The people here are great. We love the people. You guys are so nice and it is awesome."

Catalanotto is getting married on Nov. 11 in New York and the couple plans on honeymooning in Hawaii. He has bought a house in Southlake and is excited about the future.

"It's going to be a busy winter for me," Catalanotto said.

Rangers Manager Jerry Narron was the keynote speaker at September's luncheon. The Texas skipper was quick to credit his shortstop as a big part of the team's success in the second half of 2001.

"Alex Rodriguez is an amazing guy," Narron said. "We get the pleasure of watching the best shortstop in the game every night. He has made my job easy."

Narron remembers what challenges he immediately faced upon being named manager in early May.

"I remember when I got the job and we were pretty much out of the race already," Narron said. "Last year we struggled late in the season and it was a grind to end the year. But this year everyone has played hard all season. These guys come out to play.

"Alex Rodriguez has been a big part of that."

Narron was asked when he first had thoughts of becoming a manager in the major leagues.

"When I knew I couldn't play anymore," Narron joked. "Being a catcher, you were like a coach on the field. And when I went into coaching after my playing days, I learned a lot. It really paid off being a coach for all those years.

"And I worked for some of the best baseball people. Johnny Oates is as good a baseball man as you'll find. I learned so much from him and I am grateful to him."

Narron talked about his philosophy of being aggressive on the bases and building a winning attitude.

"I think that being aggressive on the bases and working to manufacture runs is a way a team can be successful," Narron said. "If you come out to the ballpark with a winning attitude - one that is confident and sound - the results will come. That is what I like so much about this team.

"These guys have given it their all this season and the last few months have shown results of that. I can't wait to see what the future holds."

Rob Scichili is the site manager for texasrangers.com. He can be contacted via email at rscichili@texasrangers.com.