Posted May 11, 200520 yr KANSAS CITY -- Tony Pena resigned as Royals manager Tuesday night. General manager Allard Baird, who said he was surprised by Pena's decision, said that Pena informed him of the decision after the Royals' loss to the Blue Jays at Toronto. The Royals (8-25) are in last place in the American League Central. Baird said a search for Pena's replacement will begin immediately, but that Bob Schaefer will serve as the interim manager until a permanent replacement is found. Pena issued a statement through the club's public relations department: "I felt that at this time we have not played to the top of our abilities. The Kansas City Royals are on the right track by committing to their young players. I believe the Royals will be contenders for a long time if they don't change their direction. "There are good people and good teachers working in the organization, from the front office all the way to the bottom. I wish this team and their fans the very best." Baird said that Pena will remain in the Royals' organization in a position to be determined. "He's going to stay with the organization. This doesn't take away from what he has done," Baird said. "He didn't feel comfortable with the way the team has been playing. I don't want this to tarnish what he has done in the past. He's been a very large part of the development of this team." Pena was the American League Manager of the Year in 2003 after leading the Royals to a turnaround season in which they led the division for more than 90 days and finished third. But last season the team plummeted to 104 losses and last place. His managerial record with the Royals was 198-285. He was named manager May 15, 2002, after Tony Muser was fired. mlb.com
May 11, 200520 yr KC= 8-25(worst in the majors) 2-12 at home 16 games behind the White Sox. Only 3 teams have allowed more runs than them, the Yankees, Devil Rays, and Rockies. And Pena's winning percentage has been going down ever year...
May 11, 200520 yr Would have been fired last year had he not won the feel-good Manager of Year votes in 2003.
May 11, 200520 yr Would have been fired last year had he not won the feel-good Manager of Year votes in 2003. 769810[/snapback] Why should he be fired? The team has zero development, zero money put into it and thus, zero expectations. No one expected him to do anything with the team. Don't blame the manager; blame the crappy owner who doesn't spend on the team at all.
May 11, 200520 yr Quick Gold, I agree with you that the Royals had nothing going for them so firing the manager would have been a dumb move, but there was growing sentiment in the media that Pe?a's job security was past the "hot seat." He resigned before they could fire him, surprising that he'd resign this early, but I don't think anyone expected him to finish the season with the Royals...
May 11, 200520 yr Quick Gold, I agree with you that the Royals had nothing going for them so firing the manager would have been a dumb move, but there was growing sentiment in the media that Pe?a's job security was past the "hot seat." He resigned before they could fire him, surprising that he'd resign this early, but I don't think anyone expected him to finish the season with the Royals... 769936[/snapback] I think it's a good question of if he jumped on his own or was being pushed... :mischief2
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