Carlos Pena

The Dominican slugger who set franchise records and led the Rays to their first playoff berth with explosive power.

Carlos Felipe Peña is a Dominican former professional baseball first baseman whose tenure with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays stands as the most statistically significant period of his career. Born in Santo Domingo and raised in Massachusetts after moving to the U.S. at age 12, Peña evolved from a minor league prospect into an American League power hitter. While he played for several franchises including the Rangers, Athletics, Tigers, Red Sox, Cubs, Astros, and Royals, it was his time in Tampa Bay where he shattered franchise records. His 2007 season remains a landmark achievement, setting new highs for home runs, RBIs, and on-base percentage while earning him the American League Comeback Player of the Year award.

Quick Facts

Team: Leones del Escogido
Position: First baseman; General manager
Bats: Left
Born: 17 May 1978
Birthplace: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Debut league: MLB
Debut date: September 5
Debut year: 2001

Lore & Background

Peña's journey to stardom in Tampa Bay was not immediate; it began on April 1, 2007, when he signed a Major League contract after being re-signed from the minor league camp due to an injury to Greg Norton. His start was slow, batting just .213 with four home runs in April as a backup. However, May proved to be his turning point, where he hit .356 with six home runs and 15 RBIs as an everyday first baseman for the remainder of the season. From August 26 to September 22 alone, he recorded four multi-home run games.

This surge culminated in a historic 2007 campaign: 46 home runs (second in the AL behind Alex Rodriguez's 54), 121 RBIs, and a .282 batting average. He set Rays franchise records for home runs, RBIs, slugging percentage (.627), on-base percentage (.411), walks (103), and total bases (307). His performance earned him the Player's Choice AL Comeback Player of the Year award and a spot as an MVP candidate. In 2008, despite a broken finger that placed him on the disabled list from June 4 to June 27, he finished with 31 home runs and 102 RBIs.

Notably, on September 19 against the Minnesota Twins, he hit a home run that became the first call overturned by instant replay in MLB history. That same year, he secured his first AL Gold Glove.

Reader's Guide

Fans tracking Carlos Peña should focus on three distinct eras within the Tampa Bay organization: the breakthrough of 2007, the resilience of 2008, and the All-Star recognition of 2009. In 2007, he established himself as a premier power hitter, setting single-season franchise records in home runs (46), RBIs (121), walks (103), and slugging percentage (.627). His ability to draw walks was exceptional, leading the league with 103 that year. In 2008, he demonstrated durability despite a broken finger, hitting 31 home runs in limited at-bats before his June injury.

A key historical note for fans is his September 19, 2008 home run against the Minnesota Twins, which stands as the first MLB call overturned by instant replay. In 2009, he reached the pinnacle of individual recognition with an All-Star selection and a Home Run Derby appearance. Throughout this period, he was also known for his defensive prowess, winning his first AL Gold Glove in 2008. Off the field, his commitment to community service was evident when he donated $20,000 to Dominican youth under the poverty line following his 2007 Comeback Player of the Year award.