Wily Mo Peña
Encyclopedia
Wily Modesto Peña is a Dominican
professional baseball
outfielder
for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
of Nippon Professional Baseball. At 6 feet, 5 inches in height and nearly 300 pounds, the right-handed batting
and throwing Peña is considered a pure power hitter known for his tape-measure home run
s and high strikeout
rate.
as an amateur free agent in , Peña signed with the New York Yankees
about a year later and was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
for third baseman
/designated hitter
Drew Henson
and outfielder
Michael Coleman
in . He debuted with the Reds as a September call-up in , and got a single
while pinch hitting in his first major league at-bat. Peña proved his label as a power hitter, hitting a home run in his second major league game off Chicago Cubs
pitcher
Steve Smyth
.
From through , Peña was a fourth outfielder
with the Reds, and saw substantial playing time in centerfield
covering for the often injured Ken Griffey, Jr.
, and backing up Austin Kearns
in right field. In his career in Cincinnati, Peña batted .248 with 51 home runs and 134 RBIs in 302 games.
The Reds traded Peña to the Boston Red Sox
during spring training
in for pitcher Bronson Arroyo
. Over the course of the season, Peña again served as a fourth outfielder and one half of a platoon
in right field. He batted a career-high .301 with a personal best on base percentage
of .349 in 299 plate appearances. Following an injury to Coco Crisp
, Peña filled in at center field. On May 27, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list
after surgery was required for an injured tendon
in his left wrist. On July 18, he was activated from the disabled list. After platoon-mate Trot Nixon
injured his biceps on July 30, Peña played more frequently in right field. The next day he fell a double
short of hitting for the cycle
in a 9-8 win over the Cleveland Indians
. He hit .301 with 11 home runs in the 2006 season. Following the season, Peña played for the Dominican Republic
in the 2006 World Baseball Classic
.
The only action Peña saw in with the Red Sox was filling in for Crisp and J.D. Drew at center and right field. Pena hit a grand slam
off of closer Chris Ray
of the Baltimore Orioles
to help the Red Sox to a 5-2 victory on April 26. Throughout the season Peña was rumored to be on the trading block, including in a deal at the trade deadline that did not go through.
On August 17 Peña was traded to the Washington Nationals
, with the Red Sox receiving 25 year-old first baseman Chris Carter
and the Arizona Diamondbacks
receiving Emiliano Fruto
and cash considerations. Peña hit well for the Nationals, and finished 2007 with a cumulative 289 at bats, 13 home runs and he batted .259 with a .319 on-base percentage and a .439 slugging percentage.
His $2.3 million signing bonus is now the third largest ever for an amateur free agent. In December 2007, he signed a one-year contract with the Nationals for $2 million with a mutual option for 2009 of $2 million.
On March 28, , Peña was designated for assignment by the Nationals and placed on waivers. Peña went unclaimed and declined an assignment to the minor leagues so he was unconditionally released.
of the Dominican Winter League.
.
prior to the 2011 season. As of mid-June, he was hitting .356 with 21 homers and 62 RBIs for the team's Triple-A affiliate in Reno. He was called up on June 21 and hit a home run that night in his first game in 3 years.
In a game against the Detroit Tigers
on June 24, Pena launched a go-ahead homer an estimated 454 feet deep into the left-field seats at Comerica Park
to give the Diamondbacks a 7-6 lead and the eventual victory.
Four days later, in a game at Chase Field
with the Cleveland Indians
tied at 4 in the bottom of the ninth inning and Ryan Roberts
on third base, Wily Mo powered a walk-off homer into the seats in left field giving the D-Backs a 6-4 win.
On July 15, 2011, Peña was designated for assignment. He was released on July 24.
on July 27, 2011. He had his contract purchased on August 13. He elected free agency on October 30.
in Japan.
's Latino Diabetes Initiative for the Beisbol y Salud Latino Diabetes and Health Festival to educate Latino men, women and children about type 2 diabetes.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
The are a Japanese baseball team based in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture. The team was bought on January 28, 2005 by the SoftBank Corporation.The team was formerly known as the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. In 1988, Daiei bought the team from Osaka's Nankai Electric Railway Co., and its headquarters were...
of Nippon Professional Baseball. At 6 feet, 5 inches in height and nearly 300 pounds, the right-handed batting
Batting (baseball)
In baseball, batting is the act of facing the opposing pitcher and trying to produce offense for one's team. A batter or hitter is a person whose turn it is to face the pitcher...
and throwing Peña is considered a pure power hitter known for his tape-measure home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and high strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
rate.
Cincinnati Reds
Originally signed by the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
as an amateur free agent in , Peña signed with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
about a year later and was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
/designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
Drew Henson
Drew Henson
Drew Daniel Henson is a retired Major League Baseball third baseman and National Football League quarterback. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
and outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Michael Coleman
Michael Coleman (baseball)
Michael Donnell Coleman is a former backup outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed.-Early life:...
in . He debuted with the Reds as a September call-up in , and got a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
while pinch hitting in his first major league at-bat. Peña proved his label as a power hitter, hitting a home run in his second major league game off Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Steve Smyth
Steve Smyth
Steve Smyth is the guitarist for the metal band Forbidden.-Biography:Smyth was born in Northern California and started his career in the female-fronted melodic progressive metal band Ariah after graduation in 1988. Ariah never released an official studio album, but they recorded a few songs and...
.
From through , Peña was a fourth outfielder
Fourth outfielder
In baseball, a fourth outfielder is a backup outfielder, who does not have the hitting skills to regularly play in the corner outfield, but does not have the fielding skills to play center field; for these players, this often leads to playing time that has been called "erratic and unpredictable"...
with the Reds, and saw substantial playing time in centerfield
Centerfield
Centerfield is an album by musician John Fogerty, released in 1985. It was his most popular post-Creedence album, containing the hit singles "The Old Man Down the Road", "Rock and Roll Girls" and the title track "Centerfield". Fogerty played all the instruments on this album himself, thanks to...
covering for the often injured Ken Griffey, Jr.
Ken Griffey, Jr.
George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. , nicknamed "Junior" and "The Kid", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and during his final years, designated hitter...
, and backing up Austin Kearns
Austin Kearns
Austin Ryan Kearns is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent.-Cincinnati Reds:...
in right field. In his career in Cincinnati, Peña batted .248 with 51 home runs and 134 RBIs in 302 games.
Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in for pitcher Bronson Arroyo
Bronson Arroyo
Bronson Anthony Arroyo , is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds and an aspiring musician. He has previously played for the Pittsburgh Pirates between 2000 and 2002 and Boston Red Sox from 2003 to 2005...
. Over the course of the season, Peña again served as a fourth outfielder and one half of a platoon
Platoon system
The platoon system in baseball is a method of designating two players to a single defensive position—usually one right-handed and one left-handed. Typically the right-handed half of the platoon is played on days when the opposing pitcher is left-handed and the left-handed player is played otherwise...
in right field. He batted a career-high .301 with a personal best on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
of .349 in 299 plate appearances. Following an injury to Coco Crisp
Coco Crisp
Covelli Loyce "Coco" Crisp is an American professional baseball center fielder. Crisp is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed...
, Peña filled in at center field. On May 27, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
after surgery was required for an injured tendon
Tendon
A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension. Tendons are similar to ligaments and fasciae as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, and fasciae connect muscles to other...
in his left wrist. On July 18, he was activated from the disabled list. After platoon-mate Trot Nixon
Trot Nixon
Christopher Trotman Nixon is an American retired professional baseball right fielder. He played from 1996-2008 for three different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the Boston Red Sox...
injured his biceps on July 30, Peña played more frequently in right field. The next day he fell a double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
short of hitting for the cycle
Hitting for the cycle
In baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter hitting a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are uncommon in Major League Baseball , occurring 293 times since the first by Curry...
in a 9-8 win over the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. He hit .301 with 11 home runs in the 2006 season. Following the season, Peña played for the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
in the 2006 World Baseball Classic
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
.
The only action Peña saw in with the Red Sox was filling in for Crisp and J.D. Drew at center and right field. Pena hit a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
off of closer Chris Ray
Chris Ray
Christopher Thomas Ray is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Early life and career:...
of the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
to help the Red Sox to a 5-2 victory on April 26. Throughout the season Peña was rumored to be on the trading block, including in a deal at the trade deadline that did not go through.
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, with the Red Sox receiving 25 year-old first baseman Chris Carter
Chris Carter (left-handed hitter)
William Christopher "Chris" Carter , nicknamed "Animal", is an American professional baseball infielder and outfielder.-High school:...
and the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
receiving Emiliano Fruto
Emiliano Fruto
Emiliano Ricardo Fruto is a Colombian professional baseball pitcher. He made his debut in Major League Baseball with the Seattle Mariners on May 14,...
and cash considerations. Peña hit well for the Nationals, and finished 2007 with a cumulative 289 at bats, 13 home runs and he batted .259 with a .319 on-base percentage and a .439 slugging percentage.
His $2.3 million signing bonus is now the third largest ever for an amateur free agent. In December 2007, he signed a one-year contract with the Nationals for $2 million with a mutual option for 2009 of $2 million.
On March 28, , Peña was designated for assignment by the Nationals and placed on waivers. Peña went unclaimed and declined an assignment to the minor leagues so he was unconditionally released.
New York Mets
On April 20, , Peña signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets and was assigned to Triple-A Buffalo. He was released on June 22, 2009.Bridgeport Bluefish
On May 30, 2010, Pena began playing for the Bridgeport Bluefish, an independent team in the Atlantic League. During the offseason Wily played for the Tigres del LiceyTigres del Licey
Tigres del Licey is a professional baseball team founded in 1907 based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It is one of the two franchises of the Capital city of the country, the oldest and one of the most successful teams in the Dominican league, having won 22 Dominican titles and 10 Caribbean...
of the Dominican Winter League.
San Diego Padres
On July 19, 2010, Peña was signed to a minor league deal by the Padres, he was assigned to Triple-A PortlandPortland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Peña signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
prior to the 2011 season. As of mid-June, he was hitting .356 with 21 homers and 62 RBIs for the team's Triple-A affiliate in Reno. He was called up on June 21 and hit a home run that night in his first game in 3 years.
In a game against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
on June 24, Pena launched a go-ahead homer an estimated 454 feet deep into the left-field seats at Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
to give the Diamondbacks a 7-6 lead and the eventual victory.
Four days later, in a game at Chase Field
Chase Field
Chase Field is a baseball stadium located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona and is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. It opened in , just in time for the Diamondbacks' first game as an expansion team...
with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
tied at 4 in the bottom of the ninth inning and Ryan Roberts
Ryan Roberts
Ryan Alan Roberts is a Major League Baseball infielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A right-handed batter, Roberts is 5' 11" tall and weighs 190 pounds. He is married to actress Kim Camille. Roberts has over 30 tattoos.-College career:After graduating from L. D...
on third base, Wily Mo powered a walk-off homer into the seats in left field giving the D-Backs a 6-4 win.
On July 15, 2011, Peña was designated for assignment. He was released on July 24.
Seattle Mariners
Pena signed a minor league contract with the Seattle MarinersSeattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
on July 27, 2011. He had his contract purchased on August 13. He elected free agency on October 30.
Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
On November 29, 2011, Pena signed a contract with the Fukuoka SoftBank HawksFukuoka SoftBank Hawks
The are a Japanese baseball team based in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture. The team was bought on January 28, 2005 by the SoftBank Corporation.The team was formerly known as the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. In 1988, Daiei bought the team from Osaka's Nankai Electric Railway Co., and its headquarters were...
in Japan.
Philanthropy
In 2007, Wily Mo Peña and his MoPeace Foundation teamed up with Joslin Diabetes CenterJoslin Diabetes Center
Joslin Diabetes Center is the world’s largest diabetes research center, diabetes clinic, and provider of diabetes education. It is located in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Among the Harvard Medical School Affiliated institutions, Joslin is unique in its sole...
's Latino Diabetes Initiative for the Beisbol y Salud Latino Diabetes and Health Festival to educate Latino men, women and children about type 2 diabetes.