St. Louis Cardinals Gameday – June 2018

20 CARDINALS MAGAZINE

Stat I use most to evaluate my performance: Catcher’s ERA. I want a low ERA so pitchers feel

comfortable with me. That is more important than what I do on offense. I’d rather go 0-for-4 with

a W than 4-for-4 with a loss.

Overrated baseball stat: All of them are important in some way. You can learn something from

every one.

If I could ask one former player anything, I’d ask: My dad (longtime big-league catcher Tony

Peña, a Cardinal from 1987-89) what his greatest game was. Actually, I have asked him. He said it

was the walk-off homer he hit for Cleveland in the 1995 playoffs (13th inning, vs. Boston, Game 1

ALDS). I talk to my dad every day but now it’s not about baseball – it’s about his grandkids. I have

two children (ages 6 and 17 months). You know how grandpas are.

For a fan, the best ballparks always have: Good hot dogs.

Funniest thing I heard an opponent say during a game: I was catching against the Cubs

and Anthony Rizzo was missing some pitches and said, “Put the ball on a tee, Peña, because I’m

missing too many.” Later, I got hit by a pitch and when I got to first, Rizzo asked if I wanted him

to rub where I got hit. I said go ahead, and pointed under my left arm. And, yes, he started rubbing

a little bit.

First baseball memory: Being in a big-league clubhouse with my dad when I was almost 4 and

he was with Boston.

If I had the ability to play any position or do anything in sports, I would be: An NBA player.

Basketball is the other big sport back home in the Dominican Republic. But I’d have to be taller.

Sports team I’d like to play a season with: The Lakers with Kobe Bryant.

Hidden talent: How about conga line creator? I didn’t get it from anyone – it was one of those

things that happened in the moment, when Greg Garcia hit two homers (April 14) at Cincinnati.

Jose Martinez jumped in, too, and then it kept going, getting longer. Guys got into it.

Favorite sports broadcaster: Ernesto Jerez (ESPN Deportes). I love the way he calls home runs

in Spanish. (“A lo profundoooo, y, no, no, no, no, nooooooo – dígale que no a esa pelota!” or “Hit

deeeeep and no, no, no, no, nooooooo – say no to that ball!”)

Personal athletic highlight not about pro baseball: I played in the Little League World Series.

Remember the controversy over pitcher Danny Almonte (the 14-year-old who was past the age

limit)? I caught him. Things didn’t go the way the kids would have liked, but we had a lot of fun

as a team.

Favorite activity as a kid: I couldn’t wait for school to be over for summer so I could visit my

dad in the major leagues. We would leave the D.R. as soon as we could to join him.

Most exciting players in baseball: Tommy Pham, Mike Trout, Jose Altuve, Yadi behind the plate.

Last concert I attended: You’re not going to believe me but I’ve never been to one.

Sports event on my bucket list as a fan: A Stanley Cup game. I’ve been to a minor league

hockey game, and it was awesome.

Memorable celebrity encounter: I met Hodor (Kristian Nairn) from Game of Thrones when he

threw out a first pitch last year when I was in Triple-A. The guy is huge (6-foot-10), by the way.

I never say no to: White chocolate macadamia nut cookies. I have to be very careful in the

offseason.

FRANCISCO PEÑA

EXPANDING

THE ZONE

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