Mo' Better Sox
![Wily Mo Red Sox](http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/BDD_wily_mo_pena.jpg)
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(BDD Photo Illustration / Joseph Ditre) |
Papi Awed by Pena's Power
Pena Has Potential To Be Great
Gammo: There's a New Mo in Boston
"And while Wily Mo Pena is a .303 career on-base guy who sometimes plays out of control, he is still only 24, and about to begin learning the game with David Ortiz. Boston is not usually a tools-oriented organization, but one thing they lack through the minor leagues is right-handed power, and Pena is a project whose skills are worth the effort to hone.
"Right-handed corner power bats are hard to find, and Pena has awesome power and remarkable speed. The Red Sox were looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder, and Pena can platoon with Trot Nixon; Pena had an .881 OPS against left-handed pitching last season (Mike Sweeney and Andruw Jones were .877, Manny Ramirez .885). He can fill in for Coco Crisp and Ramirez, when necessary." -- 3.20.06, Peter Gammons, ESPN Insider Blog (Subscription Only)
![Left: Wily Mo Pena of the Cincinnati Reds hits his second three-run home run of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth inning on August 21, 2005. Right: Wily Mo Pena gives the thumbs up to fans in the second inning during a game between the Dominican Republic and Australia in the World Baseball Classic in Kissimmee, Fla., Friday, March 10, 2006.](http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/BDD_WMP_2005_ap_gett.jpg)
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(Left: 8.21.05, Getty Images Photo / Andy Lyons | Right: 3.10.06, AP Photo) |
Extra Bases: Theo Talks About Wily Mo Pena's Potential
And Said Bronson Had No Guarantees
In the future, Pena has the potential to be a legitimate middle-of-the-order power hitter. He strikes out a lot, and has not had a traditional development curve. The track record for players this young with this power is pretty good. If he hits his potential, he’s got a chance to be an impact guy but there is risk involved with this skill set. -- 3.20.06, Theo Epstein on Wily Mo Pena
Ronald and Me
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(3.24.05 Handout: Ronald McDonald and Bronson Arroyo at spring training) |
Goneson to Reds: I'm Lovin' It
Boston.Com Survey: Did Sox Do Arroyo Wrong?
Eric Wilbur: A Few Mo' Questions
Photo Gallery: Recapping Bronson's Time in Boston
WEEI Audio: Theo Talks About Wily Mo