Tony Peña

Peña in 2012

New York Yankees – No. 56

Catcher / Manager

Born: June 4, 1957 (age 59)
Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic

Batted: Right

Threw: Right

MLB debut

September 1, 1980, for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Last MLB appearance

September 28, 1997, for the Houston Astros

MLB statistics

Batting average

.260

Home runs

107

Runs batted in

708

Games managed

483

Win–loss record

198–285

Winning %

.410

Teams

As player

As manager

Kansas City Royals (2002–2005)

As coach

New York Yankees (2006–present)

Career highlights and awards

5× All-Star (1982, 1984–1986, 1989)
World Series champion (2009)
4× Gold Glove Award (1983–1985, 1991)
AL Manager of the Year (2003)

Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtoni ˈpeɲa]; born June 4, 1957) is a Dominican former professional baseball player, manager and current coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox, and Astros. Peña was the manager of the Kansas City Royals between 2002 and 2005. He is currently the first base coach for the New York Yankees. As a player, Peña was known for his defensive abilities as well as his unorthodox squat behind home plate.

Peña was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an amateur free agent in 1975. 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. He did this in order to help his pitchers keep their pitches low in the strike zone. In 1979 while playing for the Buffalo Bisons, Peña hit for a .313 batting average along with 34 home runs and 97 runs batted in. The following year with the Portland Beavers he posted a .323 batting average with a .367 on-base percentage before making his major league debut with the Pirates on September 1, 1980.

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