in the sports room

The Tampa Bay Rays . The hottest team in baseball has a new name , new uniforms and a brand new attitude that have the Rays playing the best baseball in the team ’ s history . Young talented ballplayers with outstanding play have the Bay area fans energized about the 2008 season . One of the biggest names to look out for this year is Carlos Peña .

The biggest surprise for the Rays last year is on his way to becoming one of the premier sluggers in all of baseball . The comeback player of the year in the 2007 season , Carlos is hoping to continue exactly were he left off last year . After seven years playing in the majors with five different teams ( Texas , Toronto , Oakland , Detroit , and Boston ) and signed as a free agent April 1st , 2007 , Carlos came to the Devil Rays ( Now Tampa Bay Rays ) on a minor league deal with reasonably average production from a major league first baseman .

He had not had a stellar career thus far with a few tours in the minors and rehabilitation assignments . And , now , with the Tampa Bay Rays , Carlos might have found exactly the right ingredients to set his career on fire . Carlos became only the 11th American League Player in last year ’ s season to have had 45 Home Runs , 120 RBIs and 100 Walks , a career year in his first season with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays .

The team knows it is a contender in the American League East , considered to be the toughest division in both the American and National Leagues . After sweeping the Boston Red Sox at home and taking 3 out of 4 home games from the New York Yankees , the Rays have a promising future .

2008 is full of expectations with a cast of talented players such as All Stars - Outfielder Carl Crawford , Pitcher Scott Kazmir and the 2006 first round draft pick Evan Longoria . The first-place Rays are expected to play . 500 or better this year bringing more excitement to Bay area fans .

Team ownership has been in a reconstruction phase putting all the pieces together in bringing the right caliber ballplayers to Tampa , not only outstanding athletes , but players with character . A new outdoor

stadium deal is currently in the process of becoming a reality for Pinellas County and the City of St . Petersburg . The team has also developed a new marketing plan that has changed the look of the Rays . Tampa Bay finally has a Professional organization that knows exactly how to operate a Major League Ball Club !

Carlos Peña is believed to be a big part of that rebuilding plan . Signed in January 8th 2008 for $ 6,000,000 a native of the Dominican Republic where many of today ’ s best talent in the majors come from , Carlos is now one of the leaders on this team , a team that is no longer expected to finish last , and only expected to improve and to produce wins .

Already the club leader in Home Runs with 10 to start the season , second in the American League , scouting reports have Carlos at being able to generate impressive power with a quick , short swing . He is also quite smooth around the bag , thanks to quick feet and an above-average glove . Carlos Peña is exciting to watch at bat , he has hit some towering Home Runs at the Trop , and the fans are enjoying this team .

Everyone here at Latin Times want to encourage the Tampa Bay Rays and Major League Baseball fans to come on out to Tropicana Field and enjoy a game . Tickets are inexpensive ; you and your family members are guaranteed to have a wonderful time . This is not the old neighborhood team we all grew up with up North as kids ; those were great memories but we have a new hometown and a new team ! Now you have the opportunity to re-live those good times by experiencing new memories .

Let ’ s Go Rays !

By : Roberto A . Germain