Pena: Yankees can win next season
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc, Podcast on Oct 24, 2007 
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Tony Pena is one of the best people you could run across in your life, not just in a baseball clubhouse. He’s always smiling and always has something good to say.
If you ever get down to Tampa for spring training, stop and watch him work with the catchers. He has the energy of a teenager as he runs those guys through their drills. Jorge Posada has given him a lot for credit for how he has played the last two seasons. The young Latin kids on the team look at Tony as a father figure.
If the Yankees named Tony the manager, it would be a good choice.
All that said, it would be a stunning upset if he were selected instead of Don Mattingly or Joe Girardi. The Pirates would be smart to hire Pena. But he’s probably not a big enough name for the Yankees.
Pena said all the right things on his call. He believes he can lead this team to the World Series and that with the talent they have, that can be next season.
He also said he would be willing to stay on as a coach if he didn’t get the job.
Here is the audio from the conference call. We had an issue before but it’s fixed now:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
(http://lohud.com/audio/yankees/tpena1024.mp3)
We need Pena to stay. I don’t think he’s the best choice for manager, but he worked wonders for Jorge
Well…I guess that puts him at odds with Hank Steinbrenner right off the bat.
He`s a good fit for the Pirates.
Hi Pete,
The audio cut out just when you were going to ask your question. Did this just happen to me? I can go back and hear the beginning, but nothing after that.
the media capsule isn’t up on the rss feed yet. Is that an error?
I think Tony is the right man for the job for all the reasons Pete mentioned. Although Tony may not be as high profile as the other two canidates, he has the most managerial expirience, and is well liked by the team. Although I love Giradi and think that he along with Donnie will both be productive managers in the future, I think Pena is the best option. I’d love to see Joe manage this team in the future, but right now just doesn’t seem right, Pena just seems like a good fit to me.
“Tony Pena can’t even speak english! How’s he gonna be the Yankees manager?”
Neither could Casey Stengel and look what he did.
Well, quite a few of the Yankee players speak Spanish…
Does anyone else lose sound when Pete starts?
I love Tony Pena, I hope we retain both him and Bowa, because they are such great guys.
I think Bowa will ultimately go to Seattle. I do hope we can hang on to Tony, though (if only because he could potentially keep Posada playing at the level he has the past few seasons).
“he has the most managerial expirience”
EXPERIENCE DOING WHAT? He was 53-102 for the Royals!
Pete, the audio cut out right after you said hello. All I got was the first question and answer.
UGH-not too many managers have winning seasons with Royals so I don’t see the point in bringing that up. I lost audio too. Hopefully Pete will fix it.
As Pete was about to ask his question I lost sound as well. Pete, you screwed up!!!!
Do you need an IT tech to help you out. I’m here. 
I was hoping for an amazing conference call but this seemed like the average. I’m feeling Girardi now, but I would be happy with Don.
Guys: Sorry about the audio, working to fix it now.
Pena would be a fantastic choice. Too bad he was the affirmative action interview. I do hope he stays — as bench coach.
from wikipedia … in 2003 he managed the royals with a record of 83-79. It was their first season with a winning record since the strike-shortened 1994 season, and Peña was rewarded with the American League Manager of the Year trophy.
2004 wasn’t so great, but i’d love to have him be the manager
I think he is the perfect bench coach for GIRARDI OR MATTINGLY…
I think we actually have 3 strong candidates. I won’t be dissapointed in any case — I just hope they can keep either Mattingly or Pena on (or both, if it’s Girardi).
Tony is a good guy. I met him years ago when I knew Omar Moreno’s cousin wile Omar was with the Yakees in 1983 and 1984. Omar and Tony were very good friends back then.
audio is fixed
Ugh
October 24th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Tony Pena can’t even speak english! How’s he gonna be the Yankees manager?
Because most of the team can speak spanish and those that can’t don’t need that much direction…
do you think that when Mo and Posada chat at the mound they are speaking “white boy” english…
It would be nice if Tony gets to stay on as a coach if he does not become the manager. Tony’s experience and leadership are certainly invaluable for the clubhouse. He will definitely get another shot at managing sometime down the road. I could also picture the Pirates giving him a look.
still not downloadable on the rss feed. the link is improperly written.
“If I don’t get the job and they ask me to come back as a coach, I have no problem with that. I’m in love with this organization. I’m very, very proud to wear that uniform.”
love the attitude!
Tony Peña’s English was easy enough for me to understand. He comes across as warm, and optimistic.
He sold himself well, I hope he remains with the Yankees no matter what happens!
It seems like that was an interview for MLB (minority interview required), its a shame because he is a good guy I hope he stays with the Yankees as well. Now it seems like its Donny Baseball, especially with Stein JR. saying today to give the new manager some time its not like we have the 1996 Yanks out there. So they wanted Joe Torre to win the WS, but new manager needs some time. How about a 1 m bonus for 80 wins ??? Makes no sense.
Okay. How do you not like Tony Pena? He is energetic, confident and speaks with a smile in his voice. He answered most of the questions directly.
From the little we’ve been exposed to, the Yankees have a tough, tough choice to make here. All three quality guys.
Ugh since you are so worried about Pena speaking english maybe you can spell english also. Pittsburgh has a H at the end…
Since when did grammar matter for a manager???
Be real…
Ugh –
Yes, this is New York — if you have trouble with accents, you are in trouble. So, maybe you have to pay a little closer attention, but I found him quite understandable. And not for anything, but how is your Spanish? or French? Or any other language but English? He has at least a second language. I wish I could speak a second language without a dictionary in my hand!
I could go on, but, really, this is not the place.
Confirms what I’ve thought – the Yankees have a tough choice, and can not make a bad decision from among the three candidates. Would that we could say the same in politics!
Pena’s command of English is a non issue in my book. You don’t have to be articulate and an all-time great speaker to be a successful manager or coach. Just like someone mentioned earlier in the week, listen to Bill Belichick after one of New England’s games. He says uh and um every two seconds. We don’t worry about who the best speaker is, we want the right guy for the job, whether it’s Tony, Joe G, or Donnie Baseball.
There have been not a lot of times that I have been embarassed by some of the comments made on this blog. But reading some comments about Tony Pena and his English is simple amazing and embarassment to this blog.
What does that have to do with anything?
Can he inspire his players?
Can he manage the in game situations?
Can he teach his players?
Can he deal with the media?
It seems to me that the answer to all of these questions is yes. Should Robbie Cano not be the 2nd baseman because English is not his main language. What about Mo should he not be on the team and be a leader for the pitchers because English is not his first language. Of course not. it is about what they can do on the field and how they work with there teamates.
What a crock some of you are.
if the yankees hire pena over a guy like mattingly or girardi, this city is going to go nuts.
the ownership has to try and mend feelings with the fans by hiring a guy they like… not make it worse by signing pena.
Gayle- Exactly. I never had a problem understanding Tony during the interview.
Gayle -
Thanks for articulating what I was feeling better than I could.
Gayle–Well said.
Well, at least we know that these candidates are not just window dressing. All are good people, smart baseball guys, and passionate about the prospect of leading the best team in sports.
Can you guys remember when the hiring of a manager or coach in any sport was this open to the public? Or when it was ever such a win-win-win situation? I think the fans will not feel disserviced by whomever the Yankees choose. Kudos to the team and the media for making the process so accessible. If ESPN could’ve bugged the Tampa board room, that would’ve been the cherry on top!
Yanks dont need or want another PR disaster on there hands…Mattingly will be the manager!! If in a year they see he is not ready and he knows it then he will go and they will find someone else. But they will give him the chance and if they have to instead of saying he never got the chance he will get it and then take it from there. If Mattingly and Girardi both came in off the street I think Girardi’s smarts would win..but they arent going to do this to Mattingly.
I really hope that Bowa waits and stays with the Yanks. I am sure he can wait until tomorrow or Fri to make his decision if the Yanks want him. Then Pena can be the bench coach or 1st base. I dont know why people think Pena is anymore experienced for the job then Mattingly is..What did he have half a year more experience. It is obviously a big difference managing the Yanks or the Royals.
“Ugh” stands for what? “ugly american”?
Tony’s English is easily understandable and his warmth comes through as very sincere and refreshing.
I’m willing to bet that his “English” is much better than your “Spanish”. clam up!
I would be comfortable with any three candidates as manager of the Yankees.
Ugh,
You are in idiot. As we say in Italian…Va Fangul
Pete thanks for making the URL visible even from my Treo phone. For all you Treo guys, if you have the upgraded Kinoma Player, you can just input the URL and it will take you right to the audio!
Now that I heard the whole interview I think Tony did a very good job. I think he spoke English very well considered he is from Panama. I can’t stand people putting down latinos and saying they cannot speak the English language. It’s like if you went South America and they would make fun of your spanish accent. Think about that before you spout off about his English. Go Tony and I think he would make a great bench coach.
Hey did anyone from the blog call into Michael Kay’s show? They referenced this blog, that Pete puts the audio up and waht they thought of Joe’s and Donnies interview.
jennifer: everyone knows this blog is where it’s at!
Forgive me for this, I haven’t even listened to the audio yet, but you know what Chico Escuela says, “Baseball… been berra berra good… to me.”
I couldn’t resist.
So what Tony has a thick accent. It is no big deal. I like that he thinks we can win it all. Better than saying it was a crapshoot. (sp).
Ugh:
Enough with the racist crap. Tony speaks perfectly fine English. How many languages do you speak? How many sons have you helped guide to the big leagues?
Do us a favor and stop commenting if that is what you think. Go elsewhere.
I like that pena said he will stick around if he isnt picked. I hope he was being honest and not just saying that. I dont think Mattingly will stay if he isnt picked which is a shame. I feel like mattingly came to coach the yankees for all the wrong reasons – it seems to me as everyone is explaining it as thought mattingly came merely for the chance to be the manager which should NOT be the case. If it was, he shouldnt have been chosen to coach at all.
Its nice to have three quality candidates but from everything I have heard about Donnie and from Donnie himself I have to say I will be the most dissapointed if he is selected. Pena and Girardi seem to have their heart in the right place while Donnie baseballs seems like he is either going to be the manager or never going to be with the team again which isnt a quality you want in a manager. I also dont think he is very bright from his interviews these past couple of yrs, from the impression he left at the interview (it seems like he was the favorite by far until he was interviewed) and from the way others speak about him. Girardi on the other hand seems smart as a whip on YES broadcasts and that has been confirmed from multiple other sources. Sweeney said that he is one of the smartest guys he has ever met. Furthermore, Girardi has experience and in his one yr, won the manager of the yr honors for a team in which the GM did everything he can to make his life difficult. Im sure that is not an easy task as it was his first yr doing the job. Mattingly has no managerial experience and was a hitting coach to a team of all stars and a bench coach to a manager that will make the hall of fame. Not the most difficult jobs in the world. Furthermore, Hank is talking out of his butt when he says we need patience – their will be no patience with this 200 million dollar team in New York – there never was and there never will be. The ultimate goal every yr is to win and to win now. If the yanks come stumbling out of the gate and are in fourth place by the all star break, fans and the majority of the organization will be clamoring for a change. Can they fire a guy like Mattingly midseason and cut ties with him forever? NO WAY. Can they do the same with Girardi? I think quite easily. The only edge i give to don is that he has gained the respect of the players and knows all of them pretty well. Girardi can gain that respect before the end of spring training and will become familiar with the various personalities on the team pretty quickly after being with them every second of every say for most of the year. Its an edge that doesnt really have much of an impact. The only other thing I can say is if they hire girardi, they will probably lose Mattingly as a coach but with Leo Mazzone available to be a bench coach or pitching coach, Dave Eiland possibly moving up to the majors to be a coach, Bowa and Long possibly coming back and Tony Pena probably coming back either way, i think they will be fine without mattingly on the bench (I dont think he really impacted the team last yr any way.) And do they really think mattingly as a manager will sell any more tickets than 4 million or put any more viewers in front of the YES network as a fan favorite – doubtful. I know Big Stein loves mattingly, wants to have his children and probably thinks the fans want him as a manager (but judging from this blog that just isnt true) but when you really take time to consider the pros and cons Girardi is a far, far better choice. And the fact that Torre was offered a five million dollar contract and a possible two yr contract shows how much sway George has left on the decision-making process. Hank and Hal are hopefully reasonably intelligent people and will think about all of these issues – it seems like the ball is in their court.
I didn’t see anything thing wrong with his accent. I was put off by the reporter having to speak in Spanish. This is America and our official language is English. If he can’t ask his question in English, he shouldn’t have been allowed to ask a question or at least asked in a private interview for another piece.
That being said, I think Tony would do great for interacting with the team since he is bilingual. I just think that as long as English is our official language, that it should be used. I know I am going to get a lot of slack for my comments, but that is how I feel.
My picks, in order of overall conference call/media presentation. I felt Don’s comment about the playoffs being a “crapshoot” was unadvised and undermined my confidence in him.
1. Joe Girardi
2. Tony Pena
3. Don mattingly
And don’t forget that baseball is really like a universal language.
Actually Cindy America doesn’t have an “official” language. But I understand your point.
Uh, Cindy, it _is_ not only possible but likely that the Spanish question was for a Spanish-language publication. They do exist.
I’m sorry, I get English as the official language but that doesn’t mean that people should not be allowed to speak their first language!
Especially in a place like New York, where, uh, a considerable percentage of people speak a language _other_ than English…
I’ve got a legitimate question –
Would Leo Mazzone be a good fit for the Yankees?
Not that I’m advocating that he be pitching coach, but I’ve seen it posted here. If you look at things, Wang, Pettitte, Joba, Hughes, Kennedy, etc… have all been tutored by some combination of Mel Stottlemyre, Ron Guidry, Nardi Contreras, Gil Patterson (I read a few articles that have really raved about him as being a tremendous teacher), and Dave Eiland. That is, they have been schooled in the Yankee way of pitching, and the Yankee pitching philosophy. For better (we hope) and worse (we hope not).
How would injecting somebody – like Mazzone – effect these young pithcers, with everything they’ve learned coming from a different school of thought?
Any thoughts, anyone?
Agree 51yankees. Maybe have Joe G manager, move Tony to bench coach (he did say he would come back), Bowa third base coach. Nardi pitching coach, Dave Bullpen coach. And someone else for first base.
how dare they ask a question in spanish….god, what has this become, the Buchanan in 08 blog?
Cindy:
Perhaps the writer was asking for the benefit of the spanish speaking audience. This is a universal game.
Next time, turn on your SAP button!
Cindy:
Since when is English the “official language” of the US?
He does speak English, albeit with an accent. BFD!
AROD was born in NYC and he has a hint of an accent. Do you get on him for it?
What do people mean by “smart” anyway. I do not get it.
Is a degree required to be a baseball manager?
“I dont think Mattingly will stay if he isnt picked which is a shame.”
I agree with you, Dave. I think if Don doesn’t get the job, he will probably go back to Indiana forever. I think the same could happen with Joe Girardi – he will just take a managerial job elsewhere.
My feelings are really on the fence about this because I like and respect both men very much, but someone (or both) are going to lose and maybe one will win. I’m excited for the announcement though.
Tony is key for our young latinos I think he should be bench coach for who ever gets the job. They need to pay him enough to keep him away from Pittsburg.
“Any day you talk about baseball is a good day” Now that is a guy I want at or near the head of the bus.
Oh and one more thing (as if my post wasnt long enough) but Mattingly has the same attitude as torre concerning the attitude of a manager – he is layed back and relaxed, eh takes a move behind the scenes approach, he is more into relationships and leading by example than in-game management, he thinks the playoffs are a crapshoot and the manager is there to guide a team to the playoffs, he would rather act as a father-figure than as a disciplinarian and teacher. Girardi is the exact opposite of most of those things – more agressive, more in-game strategist and less focused on relationships, he is a disciplinarian, he is not layed back. I thought the reason the yanks didnt want torre was to try something new. GIRARDI WOULD BE SOMETHING NEW, MATTINGLY WOULD BE JOE TORRE PART II. Lets take a shot with something new and if it doesnt work out, we can hire mattingly and go back to the Joe torre school of thought.
A few impressions.
Tony sound like a great guy.
He sounds the same in English as he does in Spanish. Like the Godfather!
My order of preference:
1. Michelle
2. Carla
3. Angelina
My other order of preference:
1. Girardi
2. Pena
3. Mattingly
What a question by Ian O’Connor re: Hank Stein!!
Communication ability has got to be a huge factor in this hire. The manager needs to influence his team and adeptly handle the daily on-slaught of various media. Whether that’s handled in English and/or Spanish, it is a fact.
I don’t think, and certainly do not hope that the brass makes this decision on popularity and/or what may have been “signalled” to an individual when he was hired. Unless it was King George, I don’t think anyone in the Yankees hierarchy would constrain themselves in the future by telling Mattingly if you be a coach now, good chance you’ll be the manager after Torre. Maybe I’m naive, but I just don’t think that would be the case.
I hope the pick is Girardi but with that said I’m confident the Yankee decisionmakers will make the right choice, whomever of the 3 land the job. Aside from Jim Leyland and maybe a Bobby Cox, both of whom are obviously unavailable, I can’t think of a better mix to select from.
Hi Tommy.
I wasn’t putting down Tony’s accent or anyone else’s. I was saying that the reporter should have asked his question in English just like the rest — or they should have had an interpreter. It was quite obvious that the reporter spoke perfect English. Now, I know from having a German husband, that sometimes it is just easier to say things in your native language and I can respect that. It just makes me and I’m sure others feel like an outsider even though I can make out some things in Spanish (just when they are said slowly).
And I misspoke, English is the National language, not official.
I don’t have anything against accents, I rather like them. It’s fascinating to me that Tony Pena sounded so much like Mariano (and yes, I know they are both from Panama).
“the ownership has to try and mend feelings with the fans by hiring a guy they like… not make it worse by signing pena.”
No. While obviously these teams don’t exist without fans spending tons of money to watch them play and wear their merchandise, no owner has to answer to us. unless you own part of the company? Didn’t think so.
Further, as for Pena’s record, from an ESPN article when the Yankees hired him:
“Pena was hired as Royals manager in May 2002 and was voted AL Manager of the Year in 2003 after leading the team to an 83-79 record, its first winning season since 1994. He quit May 10 after an 8-25 start that left his overall record with Kansas City at 198-285.”
I dont know much about Mazzone except he turned some young pitchers into hall of famers but maybe that was just how talented they were. But i think he would be a good fit for the yanks. It is good to allow Chamberlain, Hughes, Kennedy and even wang to get introduced to as many coaches who know as much about pitching as possible. From there, they can take what they need and can use and leave the rest on the table. I dont see any problem with that. And i think those guys are intelligent enough that they wouldnt become bogged down with too much information. I am a firm believe that there is no such thing. Doctors dont just get taught what they need to know before they specialize in a profession. They get taught everything and use what they need to build a foundation for whatever they learn next. It is the best way to learn! I would love to have mazzone as the pitching coach and eiland as the bullpen coach. I think guidry and Kerrigan dont know how to be teachers and were horrible choices as was the conditioning coach – bad decisions on cashmans part as usual.
“Especially in a place like New York, where, uh, a considerable percentage of people speak a language other than English…”
You are forgetting that New York City is just a small part of New York State and the majority speak English.
I hope it is Girardi with Pena as the 1B coach.
fellas, lemme tell ya
Women dig accents, not to mention dudes with a nimble mind and um, um tongue!
Point being, he is praised for his work with the lowly Royals, not condemned for it. First winning season since 1994 years should tell you something. Not that I expect some ignorant racist to have any intellect.
Tony Pena is from the dominican republic. Mo is from Panama. And both of those players felt like an outsider when every manager they had spoke english
P.S. Chicks dig the Long-Ball
Go ROCKIES!
Rudy Sox
Dave,
Seriously, you’re ridiculous. Mattingly isn’t too bright? Do you have any idea how dumb that sounds?
The man has been a student of the game for over 20 years as a pro and has been a manager in training for the last four seasons. He didn’t just stick to hitters when he was the hitting-instructor. This has been the plan since he came out of retirement.
Here’s another one of your problems. You don’t seem very interested in looking beyond Girardi’s one season of managerial experience and MOY award and really do the research on the job he did in Florida.
If you did, you might have a different take on him. If Girardi was such an asset to the Marlins, they wouldn’t have fired him.
I tend to find the Marlins’ fans as the best people to learn a little more about how Girardi did as manager since they were the ones who watched him closely on an everyday basis. Yankee fans did not.
What I’ve found through my own research is that Marlins’ fans were not exactly broken up to see Girardi get canned.
Do we really want the manager and new ownership fighting on the back pages everyday? Girardi couldn’t get along with the timid Jeffery Loria, so how is he going to like taking marching orders from the Steinbrenner/Levine bunch?
Sometimes, the manager has to rise above all the bickering and do what’s best for his ballclub. The infamous incident with Loria happened in May of 2006 and it lingered all season. As the leader of the club, Girardi should have done something to clear the air with Loria and put the issue to rest. He didn’t.
Instead, he let it become a distraction for 5 months until they fired him. He also stopped talking to the front office because he was getting too power hungry and didn’t want upper management to tell him what to do.
Despite a successful season, the ownership chose to fire him because they didn’t think he was worth the trouble. Many of the Marlins’ fans blame him for his overuse of the young arms like Johnson and Sanchez and both were forced to have TJ and missed most of 2007 and will miss 2008 as well.
Here’s something else you probably didn’t know, Girardi wanted a lot more vets coming out of Spring Training with the Marlins. That is well-documented. The problem is that the Marlins’ front office wouldn’t let him and wanted the young kids instead. Girardi is often viewed by people here as some great young talent evaluator, but that simply isn’t true. The conflict with upper management began in Spring Training and escalated all season.
There’s some startling downside to him that people don’t know about or tend to downplay. Do the research on him instead of simply looking at his one season as manager and award.
If Mattingly and Girardi were battling it out for the Cubs’ job – Girardi would be your man. However, Mattingly is the better fit to manage the Yankees.
still nothing downloadably on the RSS feed.
We shouldn’t assume that Mattingly is going to be Torre Part II. He’s never managed, so how do we know what kind of managerial style and approach he has?
I don’t recall Girardi being the hard guy butt kicker when he was the bench coach under Torre. He didn’t have that aggressive style until he became the man in charge.
Putting a label on Mattingly and his so-called managerial style now is nothing more than speculation at this point.
Laura–Yes, but New York City alone has a population larger than most states, and in upstate New York, at least where I go to school, you’re just as likely to run into a Red Sox fan as a Yankee fan.
“you’re just as likely to run into a Red Sox fan as a Yankee fan.”
That’s so true — at least since 2004.
2004-2005 was my freshman year here.
My roomate was a Red Sox fan. We have not spoken since that October.
Good long post Dave. I agree with mostly what you said. I hope Joey Girardi gets the job.
One thing is for certain, if Girardi is selected you can say goodbye to A-Rod. He will definetely opt out. If Mattingly is selected they may have a better chance to retain A-Rod. That is the only benefit of giving Donnie the nod.
Cindy the Spanish question was for Univision which is a NATIONAL Spanish speaking teelvsion station thus why the question was asked and answered in Spanish.
You gotta love the fact that we are critiquing the teleconfernce operators, that makes me laugh out loud
I’m telling you Tony Pena is the guy , he has that swagger that can rub on the players, another words he can bring out the fighting dog in them.
I don’t care what happens Tony Pena needs to be a head manager or the bench coach to the head manager.
LETS GO TONY !!!
Cyndy:
I probably read your post too quickly and apologize for any misinterpretation.
My ire is raised at any mention of “official languages”, “this is America”, things like that.
I felt implications that I guess go far beyond Baseball.
Issues better left to other blogs.
Ciao
i kind of agree with Cindy here. but this was a conference call for the media, so reporters could write their stories. the fact that pete posted it as a MP3 is a luxory to us, and much appreciated.
i think it’d be another story if a YES postgame interview included a univision reporter’s question that very few watching YES would understand. you’d see a lot more than a few gripes on a blog.