Tony Pena, who was a resounding choice as the American League Manager of the Year with 24 first-place votes, discusses new White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and the challenges for young Latin American field bosses
Q. Are you looking forward to renewing the rivalry with the White Sox and Ozzie Guillen?
A. Ozzie will be able to do the job, there is no question in my mind. He has a great knowledge of the game. The main thing about him is that he knows how to treat people. Of all those players in Chicago, everybody loves Ozzie Guillen. And right now, I believe everyone will love Ozzie Guillen as a manager.
Q. Are there special challenges for Spanish-speaking managers?
A. Felipe Alou was one of the first Dominican managers [in the majors]. Hopefully, after my being named manager of the Kansas City Royals, maybe the [Latin] managers in the minor leagues can go out and get a job. We know we have a real tough time with the language. There are a lot of [Latin] people who are capable to do the job. One of the names that comes to mind is Alfredo Griffin. He manages winter ball now. Then there is Manny Acta. He is the third-base coach for the Montreal Expos.
Q. You took over the Royals in May 2002 and Kansas City finished 62-100. The Royals won their first nine games in 2003 and were 51-41 at the All-Star break, leading the AL Central by seven games. Did you feel your team faded down the stretch to finish behind the Twins and White Sox?
A. One thing about the season is that the Minnesota Twins played better baseball after the All-Star break than anybody. The thing is, we started the season with five young starters and we finished with five old starters [because of injuries]. We did not run out of bullets. We just ran out of time.
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