Mike Sweeney

Lore & Background

Sweeney was drafted by the Royals as a catcher out of Ontario High School in Ontario, California in the 10th round (262nd overall) of the 1991 MLB draft. He signed with the Royals in May 1991, a month before his graduation from high school. He made his major league debut on September 14, 1995 at catcher. His big break came in 1999, after the Royals tried unsuccessfully to trade him during spring training. Riddled with injuries and with no other viable options, the Royals started using Sweeney as their regular designated hitter. After the sudden retirement of Jeff King, the Royals offered the first base job to rookie Jeremy Giambi. When Giambi showed reluctance, they gave the job to Sweeney, who responded by posting the highest fielding percentage by a regular first baseman in more than 20 years. Sweeney was selected to his first of five All-Star Games in 2000. He finished second in the league with a club record 144 RBI in 2000, breaking Hal McRae's 1982 team mark of 133. In June 2001, Sweeney was named AL Player of the Month. He had a notable brawl with Jeff Weaver on August 10, 2001, leading to a suspension. Sweeney won the Hutch Award in 2007.

Reader's Guide

Sweeney played his first 13 seasons with the Kansas City Royals, primarily as a catcher, first baseman, and designated hitter. He was a five-time All-Star (2000–2002, 2003, 2005). He led the team in batting average six times. His 25-game hitting streak in 1999 is tied for fourth longest in Royals history. He stole home on August 14, 2002, the first Royal to do so since 1977. He retired in March 2011 and now works as a special assistant for the Royals.

Did You Know?

• Sweeney hit a two-run, walk-off home run off Doug Brocail on May 15, 1997 in his only at bat of the game.
• He tied a club record with two hits in an inning against the Oakland A's on May 31, 1998.
• On September 1, 2007, Sweeney pinch-hit and broke up Scott Baker's no-hitter with a bloop single.
• Sweeney took out a full-page ad in The Kansas City Star on September 29, 2007, the day before his final game as a Royal.