Royals manager Tony Pena steps down

Tommy · 05-11-05, 03:00 AM

Toronto, Ontario (Sports Network) - Kansas City Royals manager Tony Pena resigned from his position on Tuesday night following a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Bob Schaefer will serve as interim manager.

The Royals, who lost a franchise-worst 104 games last season, are off to an 8-25 start in 2005 and are in the American League Central basement.

"I felt that at this time we have not played to the top of our abilities," said Pena. "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."

General manager Allard Baird said that Pena will remain in the Royals' organization in a position to be determined.

"He didn't feel comfortable with the way the team has been playing," said Baird. "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 last place.

Pena finishes 198-285 as manager of the Royals. He was named manager May 15, 2002, after Tony Muser was fired.

05/11 01:24:06 ET

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johnskelington · 05-12-05, 10:38 AM

With all that talent and deep pockets on the part of the owners, how did he not succeed? Oh wait..........that's the Yankees. Honestly how do they expect any manager to win that doesn't have an office either in Boston, New York, Atlanta, St Louis, L.A. or maybe Chicago? Hello Tony Pena....welcome to smallmarketville. population, most of MLB.

naught33 · 05-12-05, 01:08 PM

well it is possible to win in a smaller market, look at what minnesota has done and they don't exactly have top dollars....but i feel bad for pena because he got a raw deal, KC sucks, they have very little talent and NO manager was going to get that team to win the way it is construced right now

05-11-05, 03:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tommy Now go get your shinebox Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sportscapper Island Posts: 15,068	Royals manager Tony Pena steps down Toronto, Ontario (Sports Network) - Kansas City Royals manager Tony Pena resigned from his position on Tuesday night following a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Bob Schaefer will serve as interim manager. The Royals, who lost a franchise-worst 104 games last season, are off to an 8-25 start in 2005 and are in the American League Central basement. "I felt that at this time we have not played to the top of our abilities," said Pena. "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." General manager Allard Baird said that Pena will remain in the Royals' organization in a position to be determined. "He didn't feel comfortable with the way the team has been playing," said Baird. "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 last place. Pena finishes 198-285 as manager of the Royals. He was named manager May 15, 2002, after Tony Muser was fired. 05/11 01:24:06 ET powered by www.sportsnetwork.com.
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05-12-05, 10:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnskelington SCI Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 51	With all that talent and deep pockets on the part of the owners, how did he not succeed? Oh wait..........that's the Yankees. Honestly how do they expect any manager to win that doesn't have an office either in Boston, New York, Atlanta, St Louis, L.A. or maybe Chicago? Hello Tony Pena....welcome to smallmarketville. population, most of MLB. __________________ Onward through the fog
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05-12-05, 01:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
naught33 SCI Forum Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Scarsdale, NY Posts: 13,666	well it is possible to win in a smaller market, look at what minnesota has done and they don't exactly have top dollars....but i feel bad for pena because he got a raw deal, KC sucks, they have very little talent and NO manager was going to get that team to win the way it is construced right now __________________ -naught33 "You miss 100% of all the shots you don't take"-Wayne Gretzky "No one, and I mean no one, comes into our house and pushes us around"-coach from the movie Rudy
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