Comments on: The Power of Tony Pena http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/ Baseball. Baseball. And then a bit more baseball. Thu, 23 May 2013 05:17:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: harloringo http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-467855 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:59:05 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-467855 Great story, Joe — love the blog. I get a little defensive when I read the Royals had “nothing” in 2003 because they did have Beltran, Sweeney, Ibanez and Relaford (and a great bullpen with Affeldt, MacDougal and an illegally amplified Grimsley). They finished five games better than their Pythagoreon, and congrats to Tony Pena for that. And then again…
I watched them that year, in early May. I interviewed George Brett and sat behind home plate a couple games and even tracked down a foul ball off the bat of Manny Ramirez. The Royals couldn’t have been nicer to a scribe from Billings (where Brett played his rookie ball). There was a huge tornado outbreak while I was there… All in all, a really memorable few days.
But I also clearly remember how much better the Red Sox were than the Royals. I left with one of those “Nostromos Creemos” T-shirts, and I wanted to believe they’d hold off the Twins. But I think I knew better.

]]> By: forsch31 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459770 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:44:05 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459770 >>>”The entire article is just an updated one Joe wrote for the Star back in 2003 which he reposted on his blog in 2010.”

Only the last part of this post was from that story.And he refers to it at the end of this post.

]]> By: forsch31 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459763 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:38:34 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459763 Story doesn’t say he was fired.

]]> By: forsch31 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459760 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:37:12 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459760 Considering the story isn’t a 100,000-word biography, it has absolutely no bearing on a story about how Pena’s childhood affected his outlook on life.

]]> By: nbjays http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459643 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:50:21 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459643 Another great Posnanski story that ends up making me teary-eyed by the end. I don’t know how you do it, Joe, but your posts are ALWAYS a great read. Thanks!

]]> By: brownsapologist http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459624 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:15:35 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459624 1995, bottom of the 13th in game one of the ALDS against the Red Sox, he hit a walk off home run giving the Indians their first postseason win in 48 years. Later that night, he broke up 3 marriages

]]> By: joewilliesshnoz http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459610 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:14:31 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459610 When he was a Bucco, he did a lot of community stuff for the little leagues in the area, a great guy and decent player.

]]> By: eoneil32 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459547 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:39:48 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459547 Great read Joe!

]]> By: indaburg http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459433 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:58:19 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459433 I just checked with my mom, and she has no idea. She said Tony’s dad abandoned the family when he was young and he wasn’t around.

]]> By: blacksables http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459425 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:41:34 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459425 It’s not surprising he did well with the Dominican team. He’s great with the Latin players.

Problem is, Joe forgot the part about how Pena’ catered to the Latin players, while excluding the non-Latins, and lost the clubhouse at the end of the season when they still had a chance to win it.

It’s no an open secret in Kansas City. It’s just out in the open. Pena’ could learn some lessons from Ozzie Guillen.

]]> By: dreamkafka http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459422 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:37:25 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459422 I said it backwards. Pena wasn’t fired from the Royals, he quit.

]]> By: dreamkafka http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459406 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:18:51 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459406 Pena didn’t quit the Royals; he was fired. It was reported as such in many places. Poz himself said he resigned suddenly in his original reporting. That’s behind a paywall but:
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/royals/2005-05-11-pena-quits_x.htm
http://seattletimes.com/html/mariners/2002270384_basegame11.html

Also, it leaves out that Pena quits only hours after being served papers in a case where he was accused of breaking up a marriage.
http://www.pitch.com/kansascity/together-we-cant/Content?oid=2177686

The entire article is just an updated one Joe wrote for the Star back in 2003 which he reposted on his blog in 2010.
http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2010/10/tony-pena-story.html

]]> By: Chris Fiorentino http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459403 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:15:41 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459403 Whenever I am confused about something, I always ask WWPD.

]]> By: cur68 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459394 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:57:45 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459394 I always liked Peña, even as a Yankee coach. Even when he couldn’t believe how bad Juan Guzman’s control was in the All Star game when he caught him, ‘lo those many moons ago.

Its no secret to you ‘burg that I wanted this guy as as Toronto’s Manager this year, real bad. Either Peña or Dave Martinez but either guy would have made me incredibly happy. I hope he gets another shot to manage and this time a REAL MLB club (sorry KC. . .by the way, are you guys a state or not? I could never figure that out).

I don’t ask much of pro sports players, just play hard, don’t be an on-field douche and don’t do anything illegal. Reading Mr. Posnanski’s article about him, well he’s over my bar by quite a bit.

Anther of his excellent points is that he’s Edwin “E5″ Encarnacion’s father in law. Lets hope he’s looking after one of The Mighty Beav’s best offensive threats real well in the off season.

]]> By: lingerie00yardsale http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459388 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:53:27 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459388 Thanks for sharing that tale! Perhaps YOU could answer my question….

Do you know Tony’s father’s name? I had a bus driver who went by “Ernie” when I was a very young boy who SWORE that his son was Tony Peña.

I’ve always wondered if he was putting on a young boy, but why?

]]> By: bancacentral http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459379 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:43:54 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459379 Eclipsed? I though Pedro WAS Jesus.

]]> By: earpaniac http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459357 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:11:28 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459357 Joe, you have quickly become my favorite writer on this site. Keep up the good work!!

]]> By: js20011041 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459330 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:39:45 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459330 You’re a sick man, Chubbs.

]]> By: indaburg http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459329 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:38:47 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459329 It’s true–he did cheat on his wife. That woman wasn’t the only one. He’ll be the first to admit he was a shitty husband. (Another lesson he inadvertently taught me. Baseball players are huge sluts. Love the game, but stay far away from the players.)

]]> By: tfbuckfutter http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459325 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:35:14 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459325 Brett Myers, who once dragged his wife down the street and beat the shit out of her, picked up the win in last night’s game. The location of his pitches, much like the location of his punches to his wife’s face, was spot on.

]]> By: mdpickles http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459317 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:31:08 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459317 Thanks for sharing this story, Joe. I really enjoyed watching how excited the DR players and fans were to root for their countrymen. I am now a huge fan of the WBC after this past month.

]]> By: js20011041 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459295 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:14:44 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459295 Well, Joe’s painting a picture here. One that sheds an overwhelmingly positive light on Tony Pena. All I’m aksing for is a little balance because it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. Maybe other people will share a different view, but to me, cheating on your wife with another married woman, whom you know is leaving her kids alone unattended is a scumbag move. This is a story that is supposedly revealing Pena’s character. To leave out all of the details is like telling a story about Brett Myers and leaving out the part about him dragging his wife down the street while beating the shit out of her.

]]> By: ranoversquarells http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459294 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:13:49 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459294 If they don’t want that money, I’d be happy to collect it :)

]]> By: vanmorrissey http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459292 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:12:55 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459292 What an amazing story, so humble even with success. Bravo to him and his team, they deserve the accolades. And how some team does not pry him away as a manager is pretty unbelieveable. Those Royals teams were horrid, anyone could see that.

]]> By: elbravo31 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459289 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:12:18 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459289 Mmmmmm… Sancocho

]]> By: elbravo31 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459286 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:09:18 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459286 What a great story! I grew up in the Dominican Republic and a story of this kind is not rare: a boy from a family of very low means making it big in the majors. Tony’s story is extra special to me, though.

I might be a bit biased, but it’s perplexing to me that his is not the skipper of a MLB club now. What he did with the Royals that first season was amazing and incredibly fun to watch. As hard as it is for me to think about it, the Dominicans won’t have Tony for the next Classic… Four years from now he’ll be managing some major league team in spring training.

Tony is one of my favorite players of all time and will always admire his passion and dedication. Even though I was born and raised in the capital, Santo Domingo, I was a fan of Tony’s team: Aguilas Cibaeñas. One of my greatest memories is seeing him play winter ball back home.

LEÑA!

]]> By: tfbuckfutter http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459283 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:08:51 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459283 Not treating your wife well is proof you can’t treat your mother well.

]]> By: dreamkafka http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459282 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:08:05 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459282 He wasn’t fired from the Royals–he quite as reported in many places.
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/royals/2005-05-11-pena-quits_x.htm
http://seattletimes.com/html/mariners/2002270384_basegame11.html

Also he did it suddenly only a few hours after being served for a trial where he was accused of breaking up another man’s marriage.
http://www.pitch.com/kansascity/together-we-cant/Content?oid=2177686

]]> By: churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459279 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:05:54 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459279 I must have missed the part where Joe referred to him as Galahad.

]]> By: tfbuckfutter http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-power-of-tony-pena/comment-page-1/#comment-459275 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:03:23 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=316434#comment-459275 I had Runelvys Hernandez on my fantasy team that year.

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