Carlos' Corner: Seeing the game from the fans'
viewpoint
I'm always on the field, but what does the fan see?
By Carlos Peņa / Special to MLB.com
Carlos Peņa, a 23-year-old rookie heralded as one of the top
prospects in the game, was acquired by Oakland during the offseason
in a six-player trade with Texas. He's replacing Jason Giambi as the
A's first baseman and is providing MLB.com an exclusive daily diary
for the 2002 season.
Before Saturday's game in Anaheim, Peņa talked about the thrill of
seeing the field from the seats, something he hasn't done in a while.
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Today I didn't enter the stadium in the same way I
usually do. I was heading down the ramp down to the clubhouse and I
caught a glimpse of the field, so I decided to go up through the
stadium and see the stage on which we perform from the fans'
perspective.
It's been a long time since I've been up in the stands, probably at
least two years. It's easy to forget how nice it is to sit and watch
a game.
I've been seeing it from the first baseman's perspective. I think the
coolest part is that I think back and remember all the times I've
been to a game and the way I used to watch players, and now, the fans
are up there thinking the same things about me.
The first time I went to a pro baseball game was in the Dominican
Republic, where I watched winter league ball. I remember going into
the stadium and coming out of the tunnel and just seeing the field
light up. Seeing the half-moon of the infield.
I remember going to games after that and entering the stadium and
just sprinting up the ramp to see the field.
That's why it was so great to come in today and see the field, just
like I used to as a kid. I'm going to keep trying to do that once in
a while, to remind myself how cool it is to play Major League
Baseball.
It reminded me of the point of view of a fan, and what an honor it is
to play this game.
Carlos Peņa's diary appears as told to Kent Schacht who is an
editorial producer for MLB.com.
