Manny Corpas wasn't worried.

Corpas, 24, who pitched enough last year to surpass rookie status, but is in his first full Major League season, has converted all 14 of his save opportunities since taking over for three-time All-Star Brian Fuentes, who struggled then missed time with injury. Now Fuentes in the eighth and Corpas in the ninth make up a formidable game-closing duo.

Not much is known about this cool customer from Panama City, Panama, but Corpas has made fans want to get to know him better. Through online voting at coloradorockies.com, Corpas was chosen Player of the Homestand for Sept. 14-30, covering the rest of the Coors Field schedule.

There is a small barrier to getting to know Corpas. He has learned English to a functional degree since signing with the Rockies as a skinny, 160-pound 16-year-old. But he is far from comfortable. He does occasional interviews in his new language, but clearly prefers Spanish, with his mentor and fellow relief pitcher Jorge Julio translating.

Also, he's not that outgoing, no matter the language.

How did it feel when the Rockies made you the closer?

"It was no big deal. I still had to do my job."

There was a game early in the season when Jeff Francis was pitching a shutout against the Royals. You came in lost the lead, and the Rockies lost the game, 5-2, on May 18. Yet you came back like it was no big deal. How did you do that?

"I just forgot about it. I didn't lose my confidence."

Julio elaborates:

"He reminds me of myself when I was a rookie with Baltimore in 2002. He has a real good fastball and a real good slider, and he doesn't worry all that much about the hitters. He just pitches his game and has a lot of confidence. When you worry about what hitters can do, you end up thinking too much. He just goes after them. I like seeing that."

Away from the field, what movies and television shows do you enjoy?

"I just like Spanish language TV."

But are there any American actors that you enjoy?

(He flexes his still-maturing muscles and laughs.) "Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger."

What were your goals when you signed with the Rockies years ago?

I always wanted to be like Mariano Rivera [the Yankees' closer], who's from Panama. I was going to do everything I could to make it to the big leagues, then show that I can help my team win the way he does.

When the Yankees were in town -- the Rockies earned a three-game sweep over them June 19-21, with Corpas making two scoreless appearances in the three games -- did you meet Rivera?

No.

Have you ever met him?

No.

Why not? [He shrugs, smiles and speaks in English.] I'm shy.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.