As everyone is talking about Joe Girardi, Lou Pinella, and others for the new skipper spot of the Fish, how bout talking about Tony Pena...

 

As you may recall, Tony Pena was the AL Manager of the Year in 2003 when he took the Royals (yes, the ROYALS) to a record of 83-79.

 

Tony made something special out of nothing. The only players that he had was Beltran and Sweeney, all other players were no names... and the pitching staff was composed of Darrel May, Chris George, Runelvys Hernandez, Kyle Snyder, and Jose Lima... their closer was Mike MacDougal... (yep, i had the same reaction when I read those names)

 

I think he would do a great job here... he is still relatively young, he knows how to win with a low payroll, he is hispanic (fits in with players and community), being an ex-ball player (and considered by many to be one of the most durable and hardest working players ever) can relate well with players, a great people person, and someone who is very easy going yet filled with optimism and excitement....

 

I found an article they wrote about him during the 2003 season....Read the Article below and tell me you wouldn't mind at least considering this guy for the position.... I love his attitude!!!

 

If it was up to me... he would be the next manager of the Florida Marlins....

 

 

 

Belief and beyond: behind manager Tony Pena, who has taught a young, low-payroll team to have unshakable faith in itself, the Royals continue to flush the notion they can't win - Baseball

 

Joe Posnanski

Four months before this wild season began, Royals manager Tony Pena was riding in a van through Puerto Rico with general manager Allard Baird. They were off to see Chris George, one of the many young pitchers the Royals would count on after an offseason of salary dumping. The Royals won only 62 games in 2002. In the salary purge, they still managed to dump 27 of those wins and 26 more saves.

 

"So," Baird said softly, "I heard Chicago got Bartolo Colon."

 

"Colon?" Pena asked. More wonderful news. Colon was the prize of the offseason. He won 20 games with the Indians and Expos in 2002. He and Mark Buehrle figured to give the White Sox a devastating 1-2 pitching punch. The Royals already were being declared dead, long before opening day. Now this. And to top it off, the Royals were to open the season with Chicago.

 

There were a few seconds of silence in the van.

 

Suddenly, Pena smiled and hit Baird in the arm.

 

"OK, baby!" he shouted. "Bartolo Colon on opening day. Let's go!"

 

"We're a fastball-hitting team!" Baird shouted back.

 

"Let's get this thing started," Pena said. "Shock the world."

 

As it turns out, the Royals did not face Colon on opening day. But they beat Buehrle, and the next day, with Colon starting, the Royals won again. And they have pretty much shocked the world ever since. At the moment, Kansas City is in first place in the American League Central. And as remarkable as the story sounds, it actually is much, much more remarkable when you look closer. The Royals have won with the second-lowest payroll in the major leagues, with rookies scattered everywhere, with devastating injuries seemingly happening every other day.

 

On June 18, for instance, the Royals' one true superstar, four-time All-Star Mike Sweeney, felt a shooting pain in his back while he was swinging a bat. He hasn't played since. The day after the injury, the Royals lost to the Twins, 16-2, and dropped two games behind Minnesota. They were pronounced dead yet again, and they finished the month by losing four in a row.

 

The shocker came in July: The Royals won 12 of their first 16 and built a remarkable 7-game lead.

 

"How are you doing it without Sweeney?" Pena was asked by reporters.

 

"Come on, guys," Pena replied with a huge smile. "Before this, you wondered how we were doing it WITH Sweeney."

 

How are they doing it? "Sure, it begins with Pena. You can't give him enough credit," Baird says. "The way he has created belief with this team is absolutely astounding" The Royals began the season with two rookies in the starting lineup, a rookie closer and a rotation that did not have a single 5-game winner on it. Pena picked his opening day starter literally by flipping a coin. Runelvys Hernandez, who won four games in 2002, got heads. Jeremy Affeldt, who won three, got tails.

 

Pena flipped and the coin landed heads.

 

And Hernandez pitched six innings of two-hit ball to win on opening day.

 

That has been the story all year. Pena believes. And his players deliver. "It's just so contagious," Sweeney says. The Royals won the Cactus League in spring training. Then they won their first nine games, the first time that had happened in the majors in 16 years. They won their first 11 home games, the first time that had happened in more than 90 seasons.

 

"We'll go in a slump," Pena said then. "I know that. I'm not worried about it. We're a good team. This is for real." A couple of days after he said that, the Royals blew a seven-run lead in Toronto. After the game, the clubhouse felt like a wake. Pena walked in and saw his players for the first time wondering if maybe they just didn't belong.

 

Pena walked to the middle of the room. He then pumped up the stereo as loud as it would go.

 

"It's just one game, boys!" he shouted as he danced. "Nobody died. We're in first place. Dance a little."

 

"You would follow someone like that anywhere," Sweeney says.

 

The closer got hit with a flying bat. The shortstop hit .215 in the minors last year. The designated hitter has this bizarre motion where he actually wraps one hand over another in mid-swing. The most gifted pitcher keeps getting blisters. And the center fielder has been on the trade market since the season began.

 

Yeah, that pretty much wraps up the team. That closer, Mike MacDougal, was standing in the dugout in late 2001 when Carlos Beltran lost his bat on a swing and it clubbed MacDougal in the head. His skull was fractured, and he lost feeling in his right arm for three months. Even before the injury, MacDougal was considered an enigma. He could throw 100 mph and mix in the nastiest slider in the Royals' system. But he had been surprisingly hittable. After he regained feeling in his arm, he could not throw strikes.

 

The Royals decided to make him a closer. Improbably, everything clicked. He had his first bit of success in the minor leagues. Then he went to Puerto Rico for winter ball, and one scout docked his fastball at 103. The Royals did not re-sign veteran Roberto Hernandez, so the closer's job was MacDougal's. He has had his share of rookie troubles, but he also made the All-Star team and had 24 saves by the break.

 

"Mac is this team," Pena says. "He's young. He's learning. But he will give you everything."

 

Angel Berroa, the rookie shortstop, maybe an even more amazing story. The Royals insisted on getting him from the Athletics in the much-maligned Johnny Damon trade in January 2001. Shortly after the trade, Berroa was found to be more than two years older than advertised. Then he got hurt. Then he hit .215 in Class AAA Omaha and made a bunch of errors.

 

When Berroa showed up for a major league camp in the Dominican Republic, Pena worked him so hard that Berroa became ill on the field. He made 19 errors in his first 63 games this season, most in the A.L.

 

Since June 17, though, he hasn't made an error. He also has been stunning with the bat. He is hitting .286 and is on pace for 19 home runs and 35 doubles. "I know everybody talks about what a genius (Oakland G.M.) Billy Beane is" one scout says. "But Allard Baird absolutely robbed Beane. This guy is one of the best young players in baseball And the Royals got him as a throw-in for Johnny Damon? You have to be kidding me."

 

Ken Harvey, the rookie DH with the odd swing, has been extraordinary in the clutch for the Royals. With runners on, he is hitting .305, and he has delivered five or six of the biggest hits of the season.

 

Jeremy Affeldt is the pitcher with the blister problems. He has a mid-90s fastball and a curve that sometimes resembles Barry Zito's, but every time he seems to get something going, a blister pops on his left middle finger, and it hurts too much to pitch. He has changed his grip, and he hopes that will make the difference.

 

Then there is the Beltran situation. The most talented player on the team is on pace for 92 RBIs and 92 runs scored despite missing the first three weeks with an injury. He also has 30 steals in 31 attempts.

 

Problem is, he's due big money in arbitration before next season, and he can become a free agent after it. It was made clear to Baird by Beltran's agent, Scott Boras, during their offseason that the Royals cannot afford him. "We know where we stand," Baird says.

 

So, everybody around baseball knows Beltran is available for the right price. But what is the right price? At the beginning of the season, it was two top prospects and what Baird called "one more piece to the puzzle." Nobody offered enough. And now, with the Royals leading the race, the price has gone up, at least until the offseason.

 

"We need instant production to replace Carlos, plus someone who can be a star for us in the future" Baird says. "Do I think we'll match up? Maybe not. But we have to keep our options open. We can't lose sight of the long-term goals here."

 

How have all the trade rumors affected the Royals? They're still in first place.

 

"Nothing," outfielder Raul Ibanez says, "distracts this team."

 

There's one more story. And it's a doozy. The Royals were faltering in June, dropping below .500 for the first time. Hernandez and fellow starter Miguel Asencio were injured, and a desperate Baird asked his scouts to find a pitcher. Any pitcher.

 

So, longtime Royals scout Art Stewart called his many friends around baseball. And in Newark, of all places, he came upon a crazy name from the past: Jose Lima.

 

The Royals signed Lima without ever scouting him. Sure, the guy was outlandish--clownish even--but he had won 21 with the Astros in 1999 before long home runs and a fading fastball knocked him out of the game. Why not? They sent Lima to Omaha, but before he could pitch there, another Royals starter, Kyle Snyder, got hurt. Up came Lima.

 

Lima started on a Sunday against the Giants, and the Royals won with a dramatic two-run single in the ninth. Thus began Lima Time. The Royals won his next start, and his next, and his next. In fact, they have won every time he has pitched. Lima has picked up a slider and a two-seam fastball and, after a month and a half, is 6-0 with a 2.42 ERA.

 

"I've been at the bottom," Lima says. "And now I've found my place. I love this team. It's destiny. This team is destiny."

 

Lima pulled a groin muscle in a victory against Seattle on July 17 and had to come out after 5 1/3 innings. He desperately wanted to make his next start, but Pena talked him out of it.

 

"I don't need to be a hero," Lima says. "This team doesn't need me to get hurt anymore. This team needs me in August and September."

 

"And October?" he was asked.

 

"You bet," he said with a big smile on his face. "October, too."

 

Sticking with the Twins

 

OK, I clearly overestimated the Twins when I picked them to win the World Series. And I just as badly underestimated the Royals by picking them--gulp!--30th in my preseason power poll.

 

But enough confessions. I still think the A.L. Central is wide open, and I still think the Twins will win it. That's not to disparage the Royals, who have stolen Minnesota's mojo. Nor is it to discount the White Sox, the most talented team in the division. But the Twin's big-game experience still makes them the safest choice, even though their offense has failed to mature the way I envisioned, and their starting pitching has been a significant disappointment.

 

The Royals remind me of the 1989 Orioles, a team of rookies and rejects that was coming off a 107-loss season. Those Orioles opened a 7 1/2-game lead in mid-July, then gradually faded, finally succumbing to a superior Blue Jays club on the final weekend. No less a fight should be expected of the Royals, provided Mike Sweeney makes a strong recovery from nerve irritation in his neck and back. But unless they add Rangers outfielder Juan Gonzales--a move that is possible if he clears waivers after coming off the disabled list--I think it's going to be difficult for them to maintain their lead.

 

The Royals aren't lacking in established position players--they feature stars like Sweeney and Carlos Beltran and solid veterans such as Raul Ibanez, Joe Randa and Desi Relaford. The problem is, the majority of their pitchers--including ace Runelvys Hernandez and closer Mike MacDougal--have less than two years of major league experience. Their bullpen is the worst in the A.L. and, like the rest of the club, untested in a pennant race.

 

The Royals' record is deceptive. They began the week 31-11 against the A.L. Central and 25-35 against other clubs; the Twins and White Sox, inexplicably, are at .500 in division games. The Royals have outscored their opponents by only two runs, and their on-base and slugging percentages don't reflect a team that ranks fourth in the league in runs scored. Basically, they've taken advantage of the sluggishness of the Twins and Sox and the ineptitude of the Indians and Tigers. For that, they deserve credit. But the numbers suggest they also have been somewhat charmed.

 

I don't love the Twins. They're a slugger short even after adding Shannon Stewart, their middle infield is feeble, and righthanded starter Joe Mays and lefthanded reliever J.C. Romero have deteriorated. I don't love the White Sox, either. Manager Jerry Manuel fails to inspire his players, and the team's remaining schedule includes 17 games against the Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners and A's. The Royals play the Yankees six games, but the Twins face none of those clubs. Then again, the top of Chicago's rotation easily is the division's best.

 

No matter how the race turns out, the Royal's season will be a success; they are ahead of schedule and have gained invaluable experience. I can't see them hanging on, but then, I couldn't see them rallying after they fell five games out on June 14. What do I know? I'm the guy who picked them 30th.--Ken Rosenthal

 

Joe Posnanski is a columnist for the Kamas City Star.

 

COPYRIGHT 2003 Sporting News Publishing Co.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group

:thumbup in my book

sounds like a good guy too me. i didnt need to read that article to find that out tho

A weird story: right before my first birthday I was held by Tony Pena in a Pittsburgh McDonalds and had my photo taken with him. He was in uniform so I'm pretty sure it was an official funtion.

 

I'd be happy with a proven manager like him righting the Marlin's ship.

Nice post. Pe?a's been my first choice all along.

I'm good with Pe?a

I don't know.

 

On one hand, you could say that he got the 2003 Royals to be a great story, on the other hand, you could say that he allowed the 2004 Royals to be either underachievers or in line with their talent, meaning that either 2003 was a fluke or that Pena just let the guys slack off.

 

However, he's the ani-McKeon in every sense of the word, so if the Marlins are going to take a mulligan on this season and play for a do-over next year, putting Pena in there may be a real "put up or shut up" to the players. Intriguing choice, but not my #1.

No thanks , I would rather the Marlins go in a different direction . Horrible circumstances or not he didnt get the job done beyond a fluke year and then quit. Girardi , Pinella, Gonzalez better fits with a history of winning at varying levels .

I wouldn't necessarily say perfect, but he's a good choice. I would like to see a lengthy selection process. There are managers out there that have experience and I'm not talking about the Piniella's and such. Maybe someone like Art Howe or Davey Lopes or a look at Mudcats manager Gary Allenson.

I would like to see a lengthy selection process.

 

Marlins can't afford that. We need to get a manager ASAP so that the rest of the offseason can progress. It's going to be hard to lure free-agents to a team with no manager, the manager we select will have a whole lot to say about what we're going to do with the rest of the off-season.

I would like to see a lengthy selection process.

 

Marlins can't afford that. We need to get a manager ASAP so that the rest of the offseason can progress. It's going to be hard to lure free-agents to a team with no manager, the manager we select will have a whole lot to say about what we're going to do with the rest of the off-season.

I agree. this process needs to be over quickly

Pena certainly a guy I would want if the FO can't get Lou.

I would like to see a lengthy selection process.

 

Marlins can't afford that. We need to get a manager ASAP so that the rest of the offseason can progress. It's going to be hard to lure free-agents to a team with no manager, the manager we select will have a whole lot to say about what we're going to do with the rest of the off-season.

 

I agree completely. Honestly, I'm not too thrilled with the comments that Beinfest is going to wait until after the World Series. Pittsburgh has already interviewed Fredi Gonzalez. Why haven't we? Most GMs are willing to have their coaches interview for a promotion as long as it doesn't interfere with their schedule and they don't make it a distraction.

It wouldn't hurt to have a hispanic coach in the dugout to fill the void left by Ozzie Guillen and Freddy Gonzalez. I like the idea.

wow royals over 500. record i say we do it if he can do that :thumbup

Nice post. Pe?a's been my first choice all along.

Likewise.

I believe he is currently coaching in the Dominican Republic... but I dont think that would be hard to get out of if we indeed go after him.,..

Are you kidding me? Are you related to Pena? He got lucky one year (what, do you think the players and pitchers played poorly and somehow he won anyway?) and you want to ruin our streak of 3 winning seasons in a row? His first season he was 49 - 77; then the year after his lucky year, he went 58 - 104. So much for his managerial talents. Why you would wish this kind of incompetence on us, I cannot fathom.

 

Here is the article about his "resignation" early in the second year after his "fluke" good season:

 

Blue Jays 3, Royals 1

 

TORONTO (AP) ? Tony Pe?a had seen enough. The Kansas City Royals manager resigned Tuesday night after watching the worst team in baseball lose again

Toronto?s Roy Halladay pitched his AL-leading third complete game of the season and the Blue Jays beat the Royals 3-1 in a game that took just 1 hour, 44 minutes.

 

Pe?a?s resignation came hours after the Royals fell to a major league-worst 8-25.

You shouldn't view managers by their won loss records. Look past that at how they handle a team, certain situations and how adaptive they are to the styles and situations we often play in. We're coming off three years with Jack McKeon, the last thing we need is Piniella because he has a name and track record. Look for the best guy for the current situation. This team is not the 90s Mariners and Reds. This is not the 03-05 Royals or the 1980s Mets. Their composition is unique from other clubs.

I would LOVE to see Ken Macha a Moneyball gu ywhich i love and had a good season when Oakland was in arebuilding year

You shouldn't view managers by their won loss records. Look past that at how they handle a team, certain situations and how adaptive they are to the styles and situations we often play in. We're coming off three years with Jack McKeon, the last thing we need is Piniella because he has a name and track record. Look for the best guy for the current situation. This team is not the 90s Mariners and Reds. This is not the 03-05 Royals or the 1980s Mets. Their composition is unique from other clubs.

 

 

 

How should I view them? What's the point of caring about "how they handle a team, certain situations and how adaptive they are to the styles and situations we often play in" unless it impacts won-loss records. Obviously, except for one lucky fluke year, Pena has been terrible at handling a team, adapting to styles, etc. He is a LOSER in 3 out of his 4 MLB managerial seasons.

 

I agree with you about Piniella, though. I think Girardi is a good choice, and Fredi Gonzalez is a close second.

I personally prefer Fredi over Joe, but will be happy with either (or Mancha). I really don't think we can go wrong with any of the three. The thing with Joe is that he's young and we could build something very special with him long-term if we hit the jackpot with him.

You're forgetting how the manager's abilities react with the abilities of the team he is asked to manage

No

I don't know.

 

On one hand, you could say that he got the 2003 Royals to be a great story, on the other hand, you could say that he allowed the 2004 Royals to be either underachievers or in line with their talent, meaning that either 2003 was a fluke or that Pena just let the guys slack off.

 

However, he's the ani-McKeon in every sense of the word, so if the Marlins are going to take a mulligan on this season and play for a do-over next year, putting Pena in there may be a real "put up or shut up" to the players. Intriguing choice, but not my #1.

 

 

 

Listen... you want to know the reason Pena could not do anything with the Royals in '04... Let see...

 

1) Carlos Beltran only played in 69 games in '04 and hit 15HRs, 51 RBIs, and a .278 avg...

 

2) Mike Sweeney only played a 106 games....

 

3) Look at their average everyday line up...

 

1B Ken Harvey

2B Tony Graffanino

3B Joe Randa

SS Angel Berroa

LF Dee Brown

CF David DeJesus

RF Abraham Nunez

DH Mike Sweeney

 

SP Darrell May

SP Brian Anderson

SP Jimmy Gobble

SP Zack Greinke

SP Mike Wood

CL Jeremy Affedlt

 

-Only SP that had less than an ERA of 5 was Greinke....

 

not to mention that the player that played the most games was Angel Berroa with 134 games played. The rest of the players averaged 100 games.

 

The reason that Tony Pena quit at the end of the season, was because he knew that the team had absolutely no talent and the team was going no where after trading Beltran....

 

Pena is an excellent coach.... he showed it in '03 winning AL Manager of the Year...

Try coaching at KC and see if you can do any better...