HOUSTON -- Phillies right fielder Hunter Pence walked out of the visitor's clubhouse Monday afternoon at Minute Maid Park and had a big smile on his face, as he saw a bunch of familiar faces surrounding him for a pregame news conference on the field.
The 28-year-old Pence, a fan favorite in Houston, was traded by the Astros to Philadelphia on July 29 in exchange for top-tier prospects Jonathan Singleton and Jarred Cosart, as well as right-hander reliever Josh Zeid and outfielder Domingo Santana.
Although Pence has made an immediate impact in the Phillies' high-octane lineup, he still possesses a loving heart for the Astros, who selected him in the second round (64th overall) of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft and set the foundation for his career.
It didn't take long for him to feel a strong sense of excitement flow through his body as he prepared to take the field in his much-anticipated return to Minute Maid Park as a member of the NL East-leading Phillies -- a legitimate 2011 World Series candidate.
"I'm excited," Pence said. "It's a good feeling to be back here. I love Houston. I got to go home and see some of my family. I've been looking forward to coming home and playing. It's just a good feeling. It's kind of weird, because I'm familiar with the field, but I did not know how to get to the road clubhouse or where to park. Coming into the stadium, I thought, 'I'm going to play against these guys.' It was an eerie feeling. It is what it is."
Pence admited that part of his excitement revolves around seeing familiar faces, such as family, friends and members of the media.
"It's part of the excitement to see all of my friends and you guys [the media]," Pence said. "It may sound weird, but I was looking forward to seeing a lot of the media that I haven't seen in a while. You guys have all been cool to me over the years."
The two-time All-Star right fielder even had a big laugh when Astros slugger Carlos Lee joined the media circle surrounding him.
Lee used his bat as a microphone to ask questions.
Pence and Lee, who patrolled the outfield as teammates for nearly five seasons, took advantage of a quick opportunity to catch up.
Lee became the center of attention by asking Pence -- while laughing -- how it feels to get back playing on the other side this time around.
"Hey, what's up Carlos ... I'm not too happy about seeing him," Pence said jokingly as he talked into Lee's bat. "You ask how it feels?
"It's different."
Despite being former teammates with Monday's starter Brett Myers and knowing the majority of Houston's pitchers, Pence doesn't believe it gives him a competitive advantage over the three-game series.
"It's weird, because I've only seen them from the outfield," he said. "It is not the same as the timing or facing them in the box. There's going to be a few pitchers I haven't gotten to see. Competing against them, I've just got to get out there and be ready to play."
Pence departed the worst team (Houston) in Major League Baseball in July to join the team (Philadelphia) with the best record.
Regardless of the overall differences between the Astros and Phillies this season, Pence states it's still the same game, no matter what.
"It is the same game," Pence said. "It's just playing baseball. We've got great veterans with a lot of accomplishments and achievements. There's opportunity to learn a lot from some great minds in the game of baseball. With the quality veterans we have and where everybody is at in their careers, it is a team that comes out to play each and every day, and is very professional.
"We've had a pretty comfortable divisional lead. Wherever you're at, it's baseball and the same game. You've got to do the same things. For me, personally, I just try to get ready, go all out every day, be prepared to succeed and help my team win.
"I haven't changed who I am. When you see me come out and play in Houston, I'm going to give it the same as I always do. I'm going to play as hard as I can. I'm going to have fun and I'm going to play to win. That's what the game is to me. I've been grateful for all of the opportunities I have had in this game."
If the Phillies win Monday night, they can clinch at least a Wild Card playoff berth, as long as the St. Louis Cardinals lose at Pittsburgh.
Former Astros ace Roy Oswalt could have a say in that.
Oswalt, a three-time NL All-Star, makes his first start against Houston at Minute Maid Park since being traded to the Phillies last season.
"He knows the drill," Pence said. "He's pitched enough games. I love watching Roy Oswalt pitch on any day. There are a lot of Astros fans that know it's a great day to see him on the mound. He works quickly. He's got outstanding stuff as a big-game pitcher."
For Pence, he's thrilled to be involved in a playoff hunt, but the All-Star right fielder admits it didn't happen according to his original plan.
"The opportunity to play in the playoffs is something I have dreamed of my entire life," he said. "It came at a different angle than I thought it would come. I wouldn't say that I had ever expected this to happen, but it did happen and it's a goal of mine. It's something I've been driven to do every year. This is what I try to be as a player and a teammate. I want to be a player that helps the team get to the playoffs. In that aspect, even though it came at a backwards angle, I'm happy to be a part of it."
Pence said he gave it his best while playing for the Astros, yet the feeling of never reaching the playoffs in Houston does weigh on him.
"I was never satisfied," Pence said. "I did the best I could. I am proud of everything I did with the Houston organization. I gave it everything I had, and it just didn't work out. It kind of weighs on me that we weren't able to make the playoffs. That is just who I am.
"I expect to do the best I can for whoever believes in me. I think the Astros got some great prospects out of it. It was the Astros' decision. They went in a new direction. Now, I am working really hard toward the playoffs as a member of the Phillies."
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