The Dominican baseball manager could not conceal his delight at being named the American League’s “Manager of the Year” on behalf of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. This prestigious award comes for his achievement in turning around the fortunes of his team, the Kansas City Royals. Pena received a phone call from President Hipolito Mejia, congratulating him on his prize. The flamboyant manager was celebrating at his Santiago home yesterday with a champagne toast, accompanied by a traditional “perico ripiao” musical trio. He stated that his ambition for next year was to take his team to victory. The formal presentation ceremony will take place in the US on 24 January 2004. Pena is the second Dominican to receive this honor; Felipe Alou earned the same title for the National League in 1994.