Carlos Pena bids an emotional farewell to the Rays, his teammates and the Tampa Bay fans in an ad that appears in Monday's Times. Here's a look at his message as he heads off to play for the Chicago Cubs after four seasons in Tampa Bay, with the text below:

Here is the text of the ad:

Even though my words will never be able to express how special playing
for you these past four years has been for me, I will make an attempt. I feel
extremely grateful that I had the privilege of playing for the Tampa Bay Rays
and to have grown along with the team. I was able to enjoy unbelievable
thrills but not before enduring heartache and defeat. Now I know more
than ever that anything is possible if I believe it to be with all my might.
When I first became a Ray we were the worst team in baseball. But what
was about to happen next, not even the greatest fiction writer in the world
would have been able to come up with it. I have never in my life seen a
team come together in such a way, where everyone humbly but undeniably
believed with all their strength that we could make it to the top. This is the
story of the little engine that could. The underdog story. The story of a team
in oblivion, that went on to become American League East Champs twice,
American League Champs once, and made a World Series appearance.
I am so honored to be able to say that I was a part of that. I am so
honored to be able to say that I was a RAY. Thanks for cheering for me
when I performed well, but most importantly thanks for patting me on the
back and encouraging me when it was difficult. Thanks for inspiring me
to be the best I can be. I will keep on trying for I know that I will never be
done, for the beauty of life is in the journey not in a destination. Thank you
Tampa Bay Rays for believing in me when no one else did. Thank
you to all my teammates for their friendship and for all the wonderful
memories. Thank you to all the fans of Tampa Bay for pulling for me every
night and day. I will be forever grateful.
May God bless you always,