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Rookie honor for Peņa
Carlos Peņa's first trip to New York as a big leaguer was memorable in many ways, and another was added Thursday afternoon when it was announced that he had been named the American League's Rookie of the Month.

Peņa, whose parents made the trip down from New England to watch their son play for the first time in the Majors, led all rookies with seven home runs and a .552 slugging percentage in 26 games. He hit .264 (23-for-87) with 16 RBIs, 10 runs scored and seven walks for the month.

"This is icing on the cake," Peņa said. "This is definitely an honor, and to have it announced with my family in town is incredible. But at the same time, it's important to keep this in perspective.

"This is one month. I still have a lot to learn and a lot to work on. I need to have six -- hopefully seven -- good months, not just one."

Minnesota outfielder Dustan Mohr, who hit .366 with six RBIs, finished second in the balloting among baseball writers. Former A's prospect Eric Hinske, who was traded to Toronto in the offseason deal that brought closer Billy Koch to Oakland, finished third. He hit .318 with 12 RBIs.