FORT MYERS, Fla. -- People like Francisco Pena, some might say, were born to catch. Penas become ballplayers like Bushes become political candidates, like Mannings become Pro Bowlers. They pass spikes, gloves, masks and bats around their family tree and down through the generations.
Of course, those prone to this type of hyperbole are often wrong. Pena, who has been lacing up in Cardinals camp this spring as a non-roster invitee, wasn't born to be a catcher. He's following in the facemask of his father, Tony, who caught 18 seasons in the big leagues (and managed or coached 15 more), but genetics aren't why.