Tony Pena Jr., breathing baseball excellence.

Tony Pena Jr. was a top-tier major league shortstop. He has now devoted his life to helping players reach their full potential in the game of baseball. 

Tony Pena Jr. played for the Atlanta Braves and the Kansas City Royals. 

Pena Jr. stepped up to a major league batters box nearly a thousand times before retiring. 

His dad, Tony Pena Sr., was a five-time gold glove, four-time all-star choice, and one of the greatest catchers in the history of baseball. 

Like his father, he is addicted to the game. He is currently a coach for the Kansas City Royals organization. Pena Jr. currently coaches the minor league level. 

He gets to work with top prospects, such as Bobby Witt Jr., who was the second overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft. In 2010, Tony Pena Jr. was top 10 in the MLB in triples and sacrifice hits. The shortstop was also 3rd in the big leagues in errors committed making him just shy of winning the gold glove award. Getting to the big leagues is a difficult challenge, but he wants to reassure future big-leaguers that they can do anything. 

The lessons taught by the game of baseball cannot be learned without experience and failure. Pena Jr. wasn’t always confident in his skill, but he perfected his craft until he couldn’t develop anymore. 

I was fortunate enough to interview one of the baseball greats today. He wants to give the future big-league players a bit of advice on what success is! 

Here is an excerpt of my interview with the great Tony Pena Jr.:

ID: What advice would you give international players that want to make it to the big leagues? 

TPJ: This is a beautiful game. If you love the game and have a sincere passion for it, all the hard work will pay off. Something that always stands out to me is always playing hard. There should never be an excuse for not doing so. 

ID: In your eyes who was the best big leaguer you have ever played with or against? 

TPJ: There were several players you see and you’re in awe. The one truly great player that stood out the most was Derek Jeter. Growing up, I was always told to play the game the right way and truly respect it. Derek played the game the right way and he brought attributes to the game I have never seen from a player. Playing against him was unbelievable. 

ID: When your playing career was over, did you have any desire to become a manager? 

TPJ: I had no idea what I was going to do after my playing career was over. Before I retired I was taking online courses at the University of Phoenix. In the middle of all of my courses, I just had no idea what I was going to do. I called the Royals and they had a position open for me down in Lexington as a player-coach. After that, I started managing. My number one goal is to make sure not just a player but as a person reaches their number one goal. If my player makes it to the big leagues and they reach their full potential as a person then I did my job.

ID: Did you know from the beginning that you were going to make it in the big leagues? 

TPJ: I knew since I was a little kid. I always knew I wanted to be in the big leagues. In life, you face doubt regardless of where you come from. I made lots of sacrifices, but those sacrifices didn’t matter once I was in the game. My true motivation was to fulfill my dream and work hard at it. I did have my bumps, but I always continued to work hard to fulfill my dream. 

ID: You have an extremely impressive resume. Do you still love baseball the same way you did when you were a kid? 

TP: I grew up in the baseball world. So when you have that passion and fire, it sticks with you. Baseball is my happy place. I am the same way Happy Gilmore is around hockey. I’m always the happiest and most peaceful around baseball. Every day, I am talking baseball, watch baseball, and throwing the ball with my son. It’s just a way of living in our family. It is the same love that I have always had and nothing will change that love. 

ID: What was going through your head when you got called up to play in the big leagues? 

TPJ: That was a scary moment for me. Even in spring training, you are just in shock that you made it to that point in your life. The first time I stepped into the box, it just felt like my legs were shivering, and I didn’t know if my body would be able to move because of the nerves I had. It was a dream come true when I got the call. The first thing I did was call my parents and I told them I made it. My parents were very emotional and happy. My whole family knew the hard work and dedication I had for the game. For my family, to be a part of this experience meant the world to me. You got all sorts of adrenaline running through you. When I finally made it, I just had an unbelievable amount of joy running through me. 

ID: My final question for you, Tony. What advice would you give to all of these hard-working baseball prospects that want to do what you did for so long? 

TPJ: The best advice I could give to everyone for not just baseball, but life, in general, is whatever it is that you do, do it with love. Baseball is a very complex game, but it’s still just a game. If you love the game, you will do the necessary things that will be done. You will deal with the daily grind. You’re going to do the hard work, and do what needs to be done. In the end, if you can look at yourself in the mirror and say I gave it my all with no regrets then you will succeed. Play hard, enjoy the game, respect the game, give it your all, and have fun. That is the most important piece of advice I could give. 

ID: Tony Pena Jr., it truly was an honor. Thank you for the time! 

TP: You got it, Isaac. Stay safe!

Tony Pena Jr. Courtesy of gettyimages ...