Yes, Rays’ Pena is worth your fond memories

by Gary Shelton on September 17, 2015 · 1 comment

in general, Tampa Bay Rays

Thursday, 6:05 a.m.

Somewhere, there is a young boy in Haiti, fed, clothed, safe. He can tell you all about greatness. He can tell you all about impact.

And if Carlos Pena wants to take a night to say goodbye, well, it's okay with him.

Forget the silliness that will come with ceremony. Just give into yesterday. Just enjoy the final opportunity to clap. For all that he was, and for all that he was not, be grateful he played here.

You do not dwell on the fact he played for eight teams. You don't remember the 811 times he struck out while he was here. You don't think about his ever-shrinking batting average. You ignore the fact that he officially retired last year, and it was sort of all-encompassing.

You just remember that smile, and the way he could launch a baseball

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