How'd I miss this?

While getting the kids fed and off to school, I sort of watched an hour or so of ESPN Sportcenter this morning and completely missed this story. Tony Pena resigned as manager of the Kansas City Royals last night. Pena made some of the mistakes that first time managers make. Most notably overmanaging at times. However, with the talent he was provided he could not have reasonably been expected to win much more than he did. I liked his energy as a player and believe he will do better if given a second chance with a team willing to spend a little money for talent.

This biographical sketch includes mention of my favorite Pena moment as an Indian.

Once in '95 when the Tribe's closer, Jose Mesa was struggling in a game against the Yankees, the squat Pena approached the mound and slapped the hulking reliever in the face with his glove, telling him to pay attention.

Some might pick the playoff homer, but to me his biggest contribution to the team was that slap. Older Boston fans will remember Pena screaming at Clemens and attribute some of Clemens success to the catcher's mentoring of a young and occasionally erratic power pitcher.