Kansas City, Mo. ? Tony Pena resigned as manager of the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night, less than two seasons after he was the American League Manager of the Year.

Pena stepped down hours after the Royals lost to the Blue Jays, 3-1, in Toronto, falling to a major-league-worst 8-25. In the first managerial change this season, Pena will be replaced on an interim basis by bench coach Bob Schaefer, team spokesman Aaron Babcock said.

“I feel that at this time we have not played to the top of our abilities,” Pena said in a statement released by the team. “The Kansas City Royals are on the right track by committing to their young players, and I believe the Royals will be contenders for a long time if they don’t change their direction.”

The Royals were one of baseball’s biggest surprises in 2003, Pena’s first full season in charge. They went 83-79 and contended into September before finishing third in the AL Central, earning Pena manager of the year honors. It was the team’s first winning season since 1994.

Kansas City hoped to challenge for the division crown last season, but got off to a terrible start and traded center fielder Carlos Beltran in June. The Royals wound up losing a team-record 104 games.

Just two weeks ago, Pena was given a vote of confidence by owner David Glass and general manager Allard Baird, who said Pena would be offered a position within the organization.

The 60-year-old Schaefer was interim manager of the Royals for one game in 1991 between the firing of John Wathan and the hiring of Hal McRae.

“We’ll take as long as we need to hire a new manager,” Baird said. “The timetable to fill this position is secondary to finding the right individual to manage this ballclub.”