Clubhouse Comments From Roberto Pena

A Conversation With 1st Baseman Roberto Pena

Q: First off, congratulations on a fantastic accomplishment. Obviously you had a fantastic season as a rookie last season tallying over 20 home runs and 100 RBIs. But you took it to another level this season. Coming into year 2, did you think a season like this was possible?

Pena: "I remember texting Michael (Schlact) in the offseason about my intentions of coming back to the club this season. I told him my goal was to finish with a 30-30 season. Obviously this hasn't happened yet, I need to pick up a few more stolen bases to get there. 

But the biggest difference in myself compared to last season has been my confidence level and carrying that every day. I believe in myself and my teammates. I know that if I cannot do a job then the next guy behind me will. This has allowed me to be more disciplined at the plate. I am swinging at pitches I can drive and laying off bad ones. Last year I chased a lot more pitches out of the zone. I'm trying to do less as an individual knowing my team has my back. I think most of my success surrounds the theme of me trusting the group I have playing around me." 

Q: It was a fitting moment to have Adam Fogel waiting for you after rounding the bases to break the record. What has your relationship with him been like and what is it like going to battle with him?

Pena: "Having Fogel as a teammate is awesome. I've looked up to him since last season. I tried to take pages from his book and make it work for me. He's a great brain to pick and a person to learn from. I think we have done a great job of learning from each other this season. We're very different baseball players. But he has taught me a lot about the mental aspects of the game of baseball no question." 

Q: Take us back to your big moment. Was there a person, or topic that was floating through your brain as you watched the record-breaking home run sail out of the ballpark? 

Pena: "No, I actually blacked out for the most part. I knew I had it off the bat so I tried to enjoy the moment. But I don't remember a lot at all. I just tried to take my time around the bases to soak in what I could." 

Q: Now you have a long stretch of games remaining at home this month. What would be your message to fans in Missoula about coming to watch you play after achieving this? 

Pena: "Expect me to be out on the field every day. I love to play for the fans of this city. At the end of the day it's a kid's game. So as long as you're having fun with it the chips will fall into place."