He did a nice job the year they were over .500, but  really wasn't a great manager, and is gone now. As a player, he started out with Pittsburgh as a good two way catcher, and was always one of the better fielders at the position, but rather quickly went from an above average hitter to an aesthetic disaster with the stick. Would chase anything out of the strike zone and I mean anything- if an eight year old threw a ball in Cambodia Tony would try to hit it in Boston. Currently a coach with the Yankees- which means that his hip quotient, which wasn't all that high to begin with, is currently at a negative 76,034...

Pena has been hamstrung by the dollar and some bad choices by management in the offseason. The added two free agents that couldn't help. 2003 was slightly a fluke. If you take out the first month of the season, you have a another bad year in KC. It's sad because that mirage got the fans hopes back up only to be dumped again. The 2003 Royals overachieved anyway. Their record was deceptive. I don't think it's fair to make a judgement on any KC manager given only 2 seasons and limited talent. KC was fielding a AAA team much of 2004.

He was great last year, but what about this year? Hmm...

No evidence of overwhelming managerial talent.

Look like a start into the right direction for the Royals