Royals name Tony Pena new manager

KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 15 (UPI) -- Tony Pena, the bench coach of the Houston Astros, on Wednesday was named to replace Tony Muser, who was fired on April 19 and was replaced on an interim basis by John Mizerock.

Pena promised changes on a team that is in fourth place in the American League Central with a 13-23 record, but will not make any hasty decisions.

"I need to see what I got before I can do anything," Pena said. "Any time you go into a house you need to find out what is wrong and then go from there."

Former New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks manager Buck Showalter, Mizerock and Bucky Dent, manager of the Royals' Triple-A affiliate in Omaha, were believed to be the other candidates to replace Muser, who was fired on April 29.

The 44-year-old Pena has been bench coach of the Astros after three seasons as manager of the team's top minor league affiliate in New Orleans. Pena has often been mentioned as a managerial candidate, and received a pledge of support from Astros owner Drayton McLane, a friend of Royals owner David Glass.

During his tenure at Triple-A New Orleans, Pena helped develop some of the Astros' pitching talent, including Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller.

General Manager Allard Baird has said that the Royals' future is tied to to its young pitchers such as Jeremy Affeldt, Miguel Asencio, Chris George and Dan Reichert.

"His success at understanding pitching was a key factor," Baird said.

While taking over a losing team, Pena sees plenty of potential.

"I went for the interview because I saw the talent in this organization," Pena added.

Pena was a five-time All-Star in a career with Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Boston, Cleveland, the Chicago White Sox and Houston, and Baird hopes that experience dealing with pitchers will benefit the Royals' young staff.

Pena, a native of the Dominican Republic, was a lifetime .260 hitter. In three seasons at New Orleans, Pena posted a 205-216 record as a manager and won a share of the Triple-A World Series in 2001.

The hiring of Pena is another setback for Showalter, who has been bypassed for several managerial openings. Showalter currently is an analyst for ESPN.

Kansas City was 5-8 under Mizerock, who will remain on Pena's staff.

The Royals were 8-15 before firing Muser and are on pace for their unprecedented seventh consecutive losing season. Muser left with the worst winning percentage in team history at .424 (317-431).

Pena will make his managerial debut Wednesday when Kansas City hosts the Minnesota Twins.