Tony Peña

In 1975, Peña attended a tryout camp held by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Dominican Republic and was signed as an amateur free agent for $4,000. Originally an outfielder, he didn't start playing as a catcher until 1977 while playing in the minor leagues. As a catcher, Peña adopted an unorthodox squat behind the plate when there were no runners on base, extending his left leg straight out while squatting on his right leg.{{cite news|date=16 June 1982|title=Bucs' Pena Finds His Niche On The Ground|page=11|work=Observer–Reporter|agency=Associated Press|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DvZdAAAAIBAJ&pg=1305,2527102&dq=tony+pena&hl=en|access-date=5 January 2011}} Similar stances are still being adopted by current players. He did this in order to help his pitchers keep their pitches low in the strike zone.{{Cite web |last=Sawchik |first=Travis |date=13 September 2023 |title=How the knee-down revolution changed catching - without downgrading defense |url=https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/2709097 |access-date=24 January 2024 |website=theScore.com |language=en}}

In 1979, Peña hit for a .313 batting average along with 34 home runs and 97 runs batted in for the Buffalo Bisons. The following year, he posted a .329 batting average and .367 on-base percentage with the Portland Beavers before making his major league debut at the age of 23 that September.{{Cite web |last=McCallum |first=Jack |title=Pittsburgh's prize catch |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1982/05/03/pittsburghs-prize-catch |access-date=25 February 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated Vault {{!}} SI.com |language=en-us}} In the offseason, he played for Águilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican Professional Baseball League and won the Rookie of the Year award.

In 1981, his path to the majors was initially less clear. He was stuck behind Ed Ott and Steve Nicosia, and his English was poor. However, the Pirates traded Ott on 1 April and Peña platooned alongside Nicosia before taking the full-time catching job. He hit an impressive .300 batting average in 66 games and finished in sixth place in the 1981 National League Rookie of the Year Award.{{cite web|title=1981 Pittsburgh Pirates|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/1981.shtml|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}}{{cite web|title=1981 National League Rookie of the Year Award balloting|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1981.shtml#NLroy|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}}

Peña further cemented his place as the Pirates' starting catcher that offseason by batting .313 in the Dominican Republic winter league baseball to earn MVP honors. He also hit .431 with two home runs and 12 RBl in spring training. In 1982, he took over as the Pirates full-time catcher and had a .340 batting average on the first of July, helping him earn a spot as a reserve for the National League team in the 1982 All-Star Game.{{cite web|date=13 July 1982|title=1982 All Star Game|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NLS/NLS198207130.shtml|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}}{{Cite news |date=9 July 1982 |title=3 YANKS AND 1 MET ON ALL-STAR TEAMS |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/09/sports/3-yanks-and-1-met-on-all-star-teams.html |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} He finished the year with a .296 batting average.{{Cite web |title=Tony Peña 1982 Batting Game Log |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=penato01&t=b&year=1982 |access-date=25 February 2024 |website=Baseball-refence.com}} While he committed 16 errors, he finished second among National League catchers in assists and third in putouts and caught stealing percentage.{{cite web|title=1982 National League Fielding Leaders|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1982-fielding-leaders.shtml|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}} He again won MVP honors in the Dominican Professional Baseball League.

Peña had one of his best seasons in 1983, posting career-highs with a .301 batting average and 15 home runs as the Pirates improved to finish in second place in the National League Eastern Division.{{Cite web |date=10 November 1983 |title=Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Tony Pena has been named the... - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/11/10/Pittsburgh-Pirates-catcher-Tony-Pena-has-been-named-the/6413437288400/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=UPI |language=en}} He led National League catchers with 976 putouts and finished second to Gary Carter with a .992 fielding percentage, earning him his first Gold Glove Award.{{cite web|title=1983 National League Fielding Leaders|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1983-fielding-leaders.shtml|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}}{{Cite web |title=Gold Glove Award Winners {{!}} History |url=https://www.mlb.com/awards/gold-glove |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} Peña also finished 12th in voting for the 1983 National League Most Valuable Player Award.{{cite web|title=1983 Most Valuable Player Award Balloting|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1983.shtml#NLmvp|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}}

The Pirates entered into a period of decline, finishing in last place for three consecutive years between 1984 and 1986 however, Peña still led National League catchers in assists, putouts and baserunners caught stealing in 1984.{{cite web |title=1984 National League Fielding Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1984-fielding-leaders.shtml |access-date=5 January 2011 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference}} He was named an All-Star and won a Gold Glove that season.{{Cite web |title=1984 MLB All-Star Game Roster - Major League Baseball - ESPN |url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/allstargame/history/results/_/year/1984 |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=ESPN.com}}

In 1985, he again led the league in assists and baserunners caught stealing.{{cite web |title=1985 National League Fielding Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1985-fielding-leaders.shtml |access-date=5 January 2011 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference}} Peña was again selected to the All-Star Game and won another Gold Glove.{{Cite web |title=1985 MLB All-Star Game Roster - Major League Baseball - ESPN |url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/allstargame/history/results/_/year/1985 |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=ESPN.com}} When Peña broke the 100 assists barrier in 1985, he joined Johnny Bench, Jim Sundberg and Gary Carter as the only major league catchers to have more than 100 assists in a season since the end of the Second World War.{{cite web|title=Yearly League Leaders & Records for Assists as Catchers|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/A_c_leagues.shtml|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}}

In a 1986 poll of major league managers, Peña was selected as the best throwing catcher in the major leagues.{{Cite magazine |last=MacCarl |first=Neil |date=February 1986 |title=1985 Best of Everything Major League Poll |magazine=Baseball Digest}} He was an All-Star for the third season in a row in 1986.{{Cite web |title=1986 MLB All-Star Game Roster - Major League Baseball - ESPN |url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/allstargame/history/results/_/year/1986 |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=ESPN.com}} In November 1986, Peña participated in the MLB Japan All-Star Series. He led a team of major league All-Stars to victory over a team of Japanese All-Stars and was chosen as the MVP of the American team.{{cite news|date=10 November 1986|title=U.S. major leaguers finish Japanese visit|page=5|work=The Gainesville Sun|agency=Associated Press|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E0BWAAAAIBAJ&pg=3536,2877505&dq=tony+pena&hl=en|access-date=5 January 2011}} Before the start of the following season, with Peña nearing the end of his contract, the Pirates made a decision to trade him rather than lose him through free agency.{{cite news|date=30 May 1986|title=Is Pirates' Pena on trading block?|page=5|work=Observer–Reporter|agency=Associated Press|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AC1iAAAAIBAJ&pg=5280,3946109&dq=tony+pena&hl=en|access-date=5 January 2011}}

On 1 April, 1987, Peña was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Andy Van Slyke and Mike LaValliere.{{cite news|date=2 April 1987|title=Pirates trade Tony Pena to Cardinals|page=6|work=The Gainesville Sun|agency=Associated Press|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2LxWAAAAIBAJ&pg=2124,399462&dq=tony+pena&hl=en|access-date=5 January 2011}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2 April 1987 |title=CARDS ADD STAR CATCHER PENA |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/04/02/cards-add-star-catcher-pena/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}} He was also signed to a two-year contract extension.{{Cite web |last=St Louis Post-Dispatch |date=8 April 1988 |title=CARDINALS' PENA SEES LOTS OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/04/08/cardinals-pena-sees-lots-of-room-for-improvement/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}} Three games into his Cardinals' career, he suffered a broken left thumb in a game against his former team, the Pirates.{{cite news|date=12 April 1987|title=Injury mars Tony Pena's homecoming|page=10|work=Rome News-Tribune|agency=Associated Press|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=S1IvAAAAIBAJ&pg=4299,2266764&dq=tony+pena&hl=en|access-date=5 January 2011}} He missed more than a month and returned to post a career-low .214 batting average, including a .183 average in the second half.{{cite web|title=1987 Tony Pena Batting Log|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=penato01&t=b&year=1987|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}}{{Cite news |last=Chass |first=Murray |date=16 March 1988 |title=3 Ex-Cards Helping Pirates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/16/sports/3-ex-cards-helping-pirates.html |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Nevertheless, the Cardinals won the National League Eastern Division crown with Peña rebounding to post a .381 batting average in the 1987 National League Championship Series as, the Cardinals defeated the San Francisco Giants.{{cite web|title=Tony Pena post-season statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/penato01.shtml#batting_postseason::none|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}} In the 1987 World Series against the Minnesota Twins he hit .409 with four RBI as the Cardinals lost in a seven-game series.

In 1988, Peña recovered with a .263 batting average along with 10 home runs and 51 runs batted in. He also led National League catchers with a .994 fielding percentage and was second in putouts and third in assists.{{cite web|title=1988 National League Fielding Leaders|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1988-fielding-leaders.shtml|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}} He hit .259 with four home runs and 37 RBI in 1989. He earned his fifth All-Star selection{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=7 July 1989 |title=Randolph, Sax Are In; Canseco Is Out |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/07/sports/randolph-sax-are-in-canseco-is-out.html |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |title=1989 MLB All-Star Game Roster - Major League Baseball - ESPN |url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/allstargame/history/results/_/year/1989 |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=ESPN.com}} and led the league's catchers with a .997 fielding percentage, committing only two errors in 134 games.{{cite web|title=1989 National League Fielding Leaders|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1989-fielding-leaders.shtml|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}}{{Cite web |date=28 November 1989 |title=Pena agrees to 3-year, $6.4 million pact with Boston |url=https://www.upi.com/amp/Archives/1989/11/28/Pena-agrees-to-3-year-64-million-pact-with-Boston/2452628232400/ |website=UPI}}

In November 1989, Peña was granted free agency and signed a three-year, $6.4 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. In 1990, he led American League catchers in games played, range factor, and putouts, while finishing second in assists and fielding percentage.{{cite web|title=1990 American League Fielding Leaders|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1990-fielding-leaders.shtml|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}} He also hit .263 with seven home runs and 56 RBI, coming in 21st place in the American League MVP voting that year.{{Cite web |title=1990 Awards Voting |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1990.shtml#all_AL_MVP_voting |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=Baseball-reference.com}} Amid a September skid that nearly cost the Red Sox the division, Peña called the team quitters and threw a folding chair in the clubhouse in an apparent attempt to fire up his teammates. Several players were offended by this and blamed it on his English language skills.{{Cite web |last=Waterman |first=Frederick |date=20 September 1990 |title=Red Sox now the pursuers |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/09/20/Red-Sox-now-the-pursuers/8316653803200/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=UPI}}{{Cite news |last=Boswell |first=Thomas |date=20 September 1990 |title=When Red Sox fold, it's always 'my fault' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/09/21/when-red-sox-fold-its-always-my-fault/460fa34c-9815-4db4-9867-036ea92fcb2c/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post}}

On 18 September, In Game 3 of the 1990 American League Championship Series, Peña's two defensive lapses against the Oakland Athletics allowed three runs and cost the Red Sox the game.{{Cite web |last=Tully |first=Mike |date=9 October 1990 |title=Athletics 4, Red Sox 1 |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/10/09/Athletics-4-Red-Sox-1/2738655444800/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=UPI}} He was also behind the plate in Game 4 when Boston starter Roger Clemens was ejected in the second inning for arguing balls and strikes with the home plate umpire.{{Cite web |date=11 October 1990 |title=UMP HAS LAST WORD FOR ROGER |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1990/10/11/ump-has-last-word-for-roger/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=Chicago Tribune}}

In 1991, Peña led American League catchers in defensive games, putouts, double plays, runners caught stealing, and range factor.{{Cite web |title=1991 American League Fielding Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1991-fielding-leaders.shtml |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=Baseball-reference.com}} His performance earned him a Gold Glove Award, making him one of only five players at the time to win the award in both the American and National Leagues.{{Cite web |date=27 November 1991 |title=Robinson Hands It to Gold Glovers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/27/sports/robinson-hands-it-to-gold-glovers.html |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=The New York Times}}{{Cite web |date=30 November 1991 |title=SPORTS PEOPLE: BASEBALL; Honor for Tony Pena |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/30/sports/sports-people-baseball-honor-for-tony-pena.html |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=The New York Times}} He led AL catchers in putouts and double plays in 1992.{{Cite web |title=1992 American League Fielding Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1992-fielding-leaders.shtml |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Baseball-reference.com}} After the season, he signed a one-year extension with Boston.{{Cite web |date=4 October 1992 |title=SPORTS PEOPLE: BASEBALL; Tony Pena Will Play Another Year |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/04/sports/sports-people-baseball-tony-pena-will-play-another-year.html |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=New York Times}}

Peña struggled in 1993, hitting just .181 in 126 games. He lost playing time to backup catchers Bob Melvin and John Flaherty.{{Cite web |last=Cafardo |first=Nick |date=19 July 1993 |title=First move: Call up Flaherty |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-i-get-hurt-so-flaherty/36344752/ |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Boston Globe}}{{Cite web |date=31 December 1993 |title=RED SOX HOPE VALLE IS SOLUTION |url=https://www.courant.com/1993/12/31/red-sox-hope-valle-is-solution/ |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Hartford Courant}}{{Cite web |title=1993 Boston Red Sox Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1993.shtml |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Baseball-reference.com}} On 23 May, Peña got his 1,500th career hit in a game against the New York Yankees.{{Cite web |last=Frey |first=Jennifer |date=24 May 1993 |title=BASEBALL; Solo Flex: Vaughn Powers Red Sox |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/24/sports/baseball-solo-flex-vaughn-powers-red-sox.html |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=New York Times}}

File:CLE1995H17PENAWS.jpg

Prior to the 1994 season, Peña signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians to serve as the backup catcher behind Sandy Alomar Jr.{{Cite web |date=9 February 1994 |title=Transactions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/09/sports/transactions-125741.html |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=New York Times}} Although his batting statistics weren't as strong as his earlier career, Peña was still valued for his strong defensive skills as a catcher{{Cite magazine |last=Vass |first=George |date=November 1994 |title=These Are the Majors' Top Comeback Players of '94 |magazine=Baseball Digest}} and proved to be an invaluable substitute behind the injury-prone Alomar. Peña also proved to be a mentor to a young Manny Ramirez during their time in Cleveland together.{{Cite web |date=18 June 1995 |title=A Spot in the Order, a Home in the Burbs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/18/sports/baseball-a-spot-in-the-order-a-home-in-the-burbs.html |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=New York Times}}

In the strike-shortened 1994 season, He hit .296 with a .341 on-base percentage. With Alomar out after undergoing knee surgery, Peña caught the majority of the Indians' games in 1995.{{Cite web |date=28 April 1995 |title=Indians' Alomar has surgery on left knee |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1995/04/28/indians-alomar-has-surgery-on-left-knee/ |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Tampa Bay Times}} Despite a .195 batting average during the regular season, he hit a walk-off home run with two outs in the bottom of the 13th inning of Game 1 in the 1995 American League Division Series that helped propel the Indians to a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox. Ending after 2:00 AM, it became the longest night game in postseason history by time (5:01) and innings (13).{{Cite web |last=Teaford |first=Elliott |date=5 October 1995 |title=BASEBALL PLAYOFFS : A Big Victory in the Wee Hours for Indians |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-10-05-sp-53443-story.html |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite web |date=4 October 1995 |title=INDIANS DEFEAT RED SOX IN MARATHON |url=https://www.deseret.com/1995/10/4/19196623/indians-defeat-red-sox-in-marathon |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Deseret News}}{{Cite web |last=Lukehart |first=Jason |date=15 May 2015 |title=Tony Pena provided postseason magic for the 1995 Cleveland Indians |url=https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2015/5/15/8611607/tony-pena-news-1995-cleveland-indians-catcher |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Covering the Corner}} The Indians made it all the way to the 1995 World Series before losing to the Atlanta Braves in a six-game series.{{cite web|title=1995 Cleveland Indians|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1995.shtml|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}}{{Cite web |last=Hoynes |first=Paul |date=3 October 2015 |title=Tony Pena will never forget his game-winning homer in Game 1 of the 1995 ALDS |url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2015/10/tony_pena_will_never_forget_hi.html |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Cleveland.com}}

Peña returned to Cleveland for the 1996 season.{{Cite web |date=1 April 1996 |title=Transactions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/01/sports/transactions-066133.html |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=New York Times}} He hit just .195 in 67 games behind a healthy Alomar.{{Cite web |title=1996 Cleveland Indians Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1996.shtml |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Baseball-reference.com}}

Peña signed with the Chicago White Sox for the 1997 season{{Cite web |date=10 January 1997 |title=White Sox sign five veterans |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/01/10/White-Sox-sign-five-veterans/2158852872400/ |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=UPI}} and served alongside Ron Karkovice and Chad Kreuter as one of the team's three catchers to start the season.{{Cite web |date=29 April 1997 |title=CATCHERS ARE CAUGHT OFF-GUARD |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/04/29/catchers-are-caught-off-guard/ |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Chicago Tribune}}

On 15 August 1997, he was traded to the Houston Astros for right-handed pitched Julien Tucker.{{Cite web |date=15 August 1997 |title=Transactions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/15/sports/transactions-637076.html |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=New York Times}} At the end of the year, he retired as a player at the age of 40.{{Cite web |date=20 December 1997 |title=PENA TO COORDINATE SOX DOMINICAN SETUP |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/12/20/pena-to-coordinate-sox-dominican-setup/ |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Chicago Tribune}}

In an eighteen-year major league career, Peña played in 1,988 games, accumulating 1,687 hits in 6,489 at bats for a .260 career batting average along with 107 home runs, 708 runs batted in and a .309 on-base percentage. He ended his career with a .991 fielding percentage. He led his league five times in putouts and twice in fielding percentage, assists, range factor and in baserunners caught stealing. A five-time All-Star, he won four Gold Glove Awards during his career. Peña's 1,950 games played as a catcher rank him sixth on the all-time list.{{cite web|title=Career Leaders & Records for Defensive Games as Catchers|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/Gm_c_career.shtml|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}} His 156 career double plays ranks fifth all-time among major league catchers.{{cite web|title=Career Double Plays|url=http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/fieldcar.htm|access-date=19 January 2011|website=The Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers|publisher=}}

In 2011, Peña was inducted into the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame Hall of Fame along with Cleveland Indians broadcaster Jim Rosenhaus.{{cite web |date=4 May 2011 |title=Tony Pena, Jim Rosenhaus Elected to Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/tony-pena-jim-rosenhaus-elected-to-buffalo-baseball-hall-of-fame/n-4196778 |access-date=9 October 2011 |website=OurSports Central}} In 2016, he was inducted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame.{{cite web|last=Sánchez|first=Carlos G.|date=3 February 2016|title=Alou, Polonia, Peña y Berroa: al Salón de la Fama de Serie del Caribe|url=https://www.diariolibre.com/deportes/beisbol/alou-polonia-pena-y-berroa-al-salon-de-la-fama-de-serie-del-caribe-KY2625396|access-date=10 January 2018|website=Diario Libre|publisher=|language=es}}

File:Tony Peña on May 9, 2008.jpg

After announcing his retirement at the end of the 1997 season, Peña was hired by the White Sox to coordinate the organization's Dominican operations and to serve as the manager of its Arizona League rookie ball team.{{Cite news |date=20 December 1997 |title=TRANSACTIONS |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/20/sports/transactions-706990.html |access-date=27 February 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} For the 1999 season, he was hired by the Houston Astros to be the manager of the New Orleans Zephyrs in Triple-A.{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=31 October 1998 |title=PLUS: BASEBALL -- HOUSTON; Pena to Manage Class AAA Club |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/31/sports/plus-baseball-houston-pena-to-manage-class-aaa-club.html |access-date=28 February 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} In 2001, he led them to a first-place finish in the East Division of the Pacific Coast League.{{Cite web |title=Champions by League |url=https://www.milb.com/history/champions-by-league |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=Minor League Baseball |language=en}}{{cite web|title=2001 Pacific Coast League standings|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/league.cgi?id=13446|access-date=5 January 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}} He also led Águilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican Winter Baseball League to two domestic championships in 1998 and 2000, and Caribbean Series title in 2001.{{Cite web |last=Águilas |first=Prensa |date=6 November 2023 |title=Águilas anuncian a Tony Peña como nuevo dirigente |url=https://aguilas.com.do/aguilas-anuncian-a-tony-pena-como-nuevo-dirigente/ |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=Águilas Cibaeñas |language=es}}

In May 2002, Peña was hired as the new manager of the Kansas City Royals, replacing Tony Muser, who was fired on 29 April.{{Cite web |date=16 May 2002 |title=Royals enthused as Pena named manager |url=https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/sports/2002/05/16/royals-enthused-as-pena-named/50909197007/ |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=Cape Cod Times |language=en-US}}{{cite news|date=16 May 2002|title=Combative Pena gets job as KC manager|page=6|work=Bangor Daily News|agency=Associated Press|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CqNJAAAAIBAJ&pg=1320,207477&dq=tony+pena&hl=en|access-date=5 January 2011}} Peña led the 2003 Royals to a seven-game lead in the American League Central Division by mid-season before settling into a third-place finish with a record of 83–79. It was the Royals' first season with a winning record since the strike-shortened 1994 season. Peña was rewarded with the 2003 American League Manager of the Year Award.{{Cite web |last=Blum |first=Ronald |date=12 November 2003 |title=McKeon, Pena win manager of year awards |url=https://www.gadsdentimes.com/story/news/2003/11/13/mckeon-pena-win-manager-of-year-awards/32330740007/ |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=Gadsden Times |language=en-US}}

Peña's Royals were less successful in 2004, finishing in last place in the Central Division of the American League with 104 losses. He resigned as manager of the Royals after a loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on 10 May 2005, as the Royals had the worst record in the American League at 8–25. He was replaced by interim manager Bob Schaefer.{{Cite news |date=11 May 2005 |title=Peña calls it quits with woeful Royals |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/pe-a-calls-it-quits-with-woeful-royals-1917192.php |access-date=28 February 2024 |work=Chron |language=en}}

On 3 November 2005, Peña was named first base coach of the New York Yankees.{{cite web|last=Feinsand|first=Mark|date=3 November 2005|title=Pena named Yankees' first base coach|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051103&content_id=1264208&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629185359/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051103&content_id=1264208&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|archive-date=29 June 2011|access-date=5 January 2011|work=New York Yankees|publisher=MLB.com}} On 21 October 2007, the Yankees announced that Peña would interview to replace Joe Torre as manager.{{cite web|date=21 October 2007|title=Girardi, Mattingly, Pena invited to interview with Yanks|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3073556|access-date=21 October 2007|website=ESPN|publisher=Associated Press}} However, the Yankees chose to hire former catcher Joe Girardi to manage the team instead.{{cite web|date=29 October 2007|title=Source: Girardi expected to accept Yankees' offer|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3085167|access-date=29 October 2007|website=ESPN}} Peña remained as the Yankees first base coach in 2008,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=13 November 2008 |title=YANKEES SET COACHING STAFF |url=https://nypost.com/2008/11/13/yankees-set-coaching-staff/ |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}} before shifting to bench coach for the 2009 season.{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Ed |date=13 November 2008 |title=Yankees announce 2009 coaching staff |url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2008/11/yankees_announce_2009_coaching.html |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=The Star-Ledger |language=en}}{{cite web |date=13 November 2008 |title=New York Yankees announce 2009 coaching staff |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081113&content_id=3677651&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629185444/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081113&content_id=3677651&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy |archive-date=29 June 2011 |access-date=7 December 2011 |work=New York Yankees |publisher=MLB.com}} He assumed the role of Yankees first base coach once more when they hired Joe Espada as the third base coach for the 2015 season and shifted former Yankees third base coach Rob Thomson to the role of bench coach.{{Cite web |last=McCarron |first=Anthony |date=12 January 2015 |title=Yankees shuffle up coaching staff as Rob Thomson, Tony Pena will return but with different roles |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2015/01/12/yankees-shuffle-up-coaching-staff-as-rob-thomson-tony-pena-will-return-but-with-different-roles/ |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=New York Daily News |language=en-US}}

Peña once again managed Águilas Cibaeñas during the 2010–2011 season. He was considered a candidate to replace Terry Francona as the manager of the Red Sox in 2011 before the job went to Bobby Valentine.{{cite web|last=Abraham|first=Peter|date=17 November 2011|title=Red Sox seek to expand their choices|url=http://articles.boston.com/2011-11-17/sports/30410865_1_red-sox-blue-jays-terry-francona|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120190816/http://articles.boston.com/2011-11-17/sports/30410865_1_red-sox-blue-jays-terry-francona|archive-date=20 November 2011|access-date=7 December 2011|website=Boston.com|publisher=}} In 2012, Valentine was fired as Red Sox manager after just one year, and Peña was interviewed to be the Red Sox manager.{{cite web |last=Cafardo |first=Nick |date=18 October 2012 |title=Sox interview Hale, talking to Jays about Farrell |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2012/10/sox_talking_to_1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021010217/http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2012/10/sox_talking_to_1.html |archive-date=21 October 2012 |access-date=18 October 2012 |website=Boston.com |publisher=}}{{Cite web |last=BRITTON |first=TIM |date=15 October 2012 |title=Red Sox interview Tony Pena, Hale and Ausmus up next |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/sports/mlb/2012/10/15/20121015-red-sox-interview-tony-pena-hale-and-ausmus-up-next-ece/35439699007/ |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=The Providence Journal |language=en-US}}

In 2013, Peña was named the manager of the Dominican Republic National Baseball Team for the World Baseball Classic. Armed with a roster that included Jose Reyes, Robinson Canó, Nelson Cruz, Edwin Encarnación, Fernando Rodney, and many others, the Dominican team stormed through the WBC with an 8–0 record, culminating in a 3–0 victory over Puerto Rico to win the championship. They were the first team in WBC history to go undefeated throughout the tournament.{{cite web|last=Perrotto|first=John|date=20 March 2013|title=Dominican Republic wins World Baseball Classic|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/03/20/dominican-republic-world-baseball-classic-wbc-puerto-rico/2001795/|access-date=11 November 2015|work=USA Today}}

After the 2017 season, the Yankees hired Aaron Boone to replace Girardi as manager, and Peña was replaced by Reggie Willits.{{Cite web|last=Caldera|first=Pete|date=5 February 2018|title=Yankees announce 2018 coaching staff|url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/yankees/2018/02/05/yankees-announce-2018-coaching-staff/309199002/|access-date=30 November 2021|website=North Jersey Media Group|language=en-US}} He returned to manage Águilas Cibaeñas for the 2023–2024 season.

Peña's mother, Rosalia, was a former star softball player in the Dominican Republic. She taught him and his brothers how to play baseball.{{Cite web |last=McCarron |first=Anthony |date=13 May 2012 |title=Tony Pena, Joe Girardi's bench coach with Yankees, remembers role his mother played in his baseball upbringing |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2012/05/13/tony-pena-joe-girardis-bench-coach-with-yankees-remembers-role-his-mother-played-in-his-baseball-upbringing/ |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=New York Daily News |language=en-US}}

Peña is married to Amaris and they have three children. He is the father of pitcher Tony Peña Jr., and catcher Francisco Peña.{{Cite web |last=Feuz |first=Alex |date=10 July 2020 |title=PRESS RELEASE: Burlington Royals Announce 2020 Coaching Staff |url=https://www.milb.com/press-release/press-release-burlington-royals-announce-2020-coaching-staff-312392684 |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=Minor League Baseball |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Woo |first=Katie |date=24 June 2019 |title=Veteran Peña leans on father for support |url=https://www.milb.com/news/sacramento-river-cats-francisco-pena-looks-to-father-for-support-308037464 |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=Minor League Baseball |language=en}} Peña's daughter, Jennifer Amaris, won Miss RD USA 2007 and represented the Dominican Community in the US in Miss Dominican Republic 2008 and came in sixth place.{{Cite web|title=Daughter of Tony Peña is crowned|url=http://www.uslatino.com/pictures.cfm?dir=New-York-Miss-Republica-Dominicana-06-07-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827023006/http://www.uslatino.com/pictures.cfm?gallery=913|archive-date=27 August 2009|access-date=27 August 2009|website=USLatino.com}} His brother, Ramón Peña, pitched with the Detroit Tigers organization.

In May 2005, Peña was called to testify in divorce court, where it was revealed that he had an affair with a neighbor. During this time, he decided to resign as manager of the Kansas City Royals.{{Cite web |last=Ortega |first=Tony |date=19 May 2005 |title=Royally Screwed |url=https://www.thepitchkc.com/royally-screwed/ |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=The Pitch |language=en-US}}

{{Portal|Baseball|Dominican Republic|Biography}}

• List of Major League Baseball career putouts as a catcher leaders
• List of Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic

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{{succession box|title=New York Yankees First Base Coach|before=Roy White
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{{NL C Gold Glove Award}}

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Category:1957 births

Category:Living people

Category:Águilas Cibaeñas players

Category:Boston Red Sox players

Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players

Category:Charleston Patriots players

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Category:Dominican Republic baseball coaches

Category:Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in the United States

Category:Dominican Republic national baseball team managers

Category:Gold Glove Award winners

Category:Gulf Coast Braves players

Category:Houston Astros players

Category:Kansas City Royals managers

Category:Louisville Redbirds players

Category:Major League Baseball bench coaches

Category:Major League Baseball catchers

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Category:Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic

Category:Major League Baseball Manager of the Year Award winners

Category:Minor league baseball managers

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Category:New York Yankees coaches

Category:People from Monte Cristi Province

Category:Pittsburgh Pirates players

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Category:World Baseball Classic managers