Cubs’ Pena always happy to play at Fenway

BOSTON — This has been a nice homecoming of sorts for Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Pena and his family moved to Haverhill, Mass., when he was 12. Pena played baseball at Northeastern University. He went back to the school Saturday as the college honored his former teammate, Greg Montalbano, a pitcher who died of cancer in 2009.

“That was very, very, very cool and emotional and special for me today,” he said. “Beyond that, just spending time with my mom and dad and my brother and sister.”

Pena played at Fenway Park plenty when he was with the Rays and Tigers. Still, he said it’s a special place to him.

“It’s got that romance about it, same thing as Wrigley,” he said. “It has a very unique shape. But that’s what makes it Fenway. It’s been here forever. Sometimes we don’t realize how special we are to be able to play in places like this.

“That’s crazy. Babe Ruth played here. The history of baseball, this is what it’s all about, places like Wrigley, like Fenway.

“I don’t want to forget that, ‘Wow, I’m actually wearing a uniform, and I’m playing baseball in a place like this.’ Come on. That’s what dreams are made of. If you have a pulse, it must race at least a little bit. It does for me, for sure.”

Ready in left:Blake DeWitt is an infielder by trade, but he made his first career start as an outfielder Saturday. DeWitt started in left field in place of Alfonso Soriano, who was the DH.#147;I#146;m definitely pretty excited about it,#148; DeWitt said. #147;It#146;s definitely one of those parks you dream about playing in. It#146;s a lot like Wrigley Field. Obviously, the Green Monster is out there. To get your first start out there is pretty neat.#148;DeWitt lost his starting infield job with the emergence of Darwin Barney. He said he#146;s willing to play any role off the bench.#147;Being a bench player is about being ready for opportunities, being ready to step in and help the team win,#148; he said. #147;That#146;s what the focus has been all year and will continue to be.#148;