Mike Sweeney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mike Sweeney
Sweeney (right) with Carlos Correa in 2015
Designated hitter / First baseman / Catcher
Born: (1973-07-22) July 22, 1973 (age 52) Orange, California, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
September 14, 1995, for the Kansas City Royals
Last appearance
October 3, 2010, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics
Batting average	.297
Home runs	215
Runs batted in	909
Teams
Kansas City Royals (1995–2007) Oakland Athletics (2008) Seattle Mariners (2009–2010) Philadelphia Phillies (2010)
Career highlights and awards
5× All-Star (2000–2003, 2005) Kansas City Royals captain (2003–2007) Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame

Michael John "Mike" Sweeney (born July 22, 1973) is a former American baseball player who played in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was a designated hitter and a first baseman. Sweeney is best known for playing 13 seasons with the Kansas City Royals.

Sweeney started his career as a catcher but later moved to first base. He also played for the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia Phillies. He retired from baseball in 2011 and now works for the Royals. In 2015, he was added to the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame.

Major League Career

Kansas City Royals

Early Years and MLB Debut

The Kansas City Royals drafted Mike Sweeney in 1991 right out of high school. He was chosen in the 10th round of the draft to be a catcher. In high school, he was the captain of his baseball team, which had a perfect 26-0 season.

Sweeney played in the minor leagues for a few years before making his MLB debut on September 14, 1995. While the Royals were impressed with his hitting, they wanted him to improve his defensive skills as a catcher. He hit his first major league home run on August 12, 1996. By 1998, he was the team's main catcher.

Becoming a Star Player (1999–2001)

In 1999, Sweeney's career took off. The Royals needed a new first baseman, and Sweeney took the job. He played so well that he had the best fielding percentage for a first baseman in over 20 years. He also had a .322 batting average and a 25-game hitting streak, which is one of the longest in Royals history.

In 2000, Sweeney was chosen for his first All-Star Game. That year, he set a new Royals record with 144 runs batted in (RBIs). This was the second-highest in the entire league. In June 2001, he was named the American League Player of the Month for his amazing performance, hitting 11 home runs in a single month.

A Heated Moment on the Field

On August 10, 2001, Sweeney had a heated argument with Detroit Tigers pitcher Jeff Weaver. After some words were exchanged, Sweeney ran to the pitcher's mound, and a fight broke out between both teams. Sweeney said he was standing up for his younger teammates and his personal beliefs. He was suspended for 10 games after the incident.

All-Star Seasons and Injuries (2002–2004)

In 2002, Sweeney had one of his best seasons, hitting .340. This was the second-highest batting average in the American League. He almost won the batting title but just missed it at the end of the season. That year, he also stole home plate against the New York Yankees, a rare and exciting play.

Unfortunately, Sweeney began to have problems with injuries. He was placed on the disabled list for the first time in 2002 with a back injury. Despite this, he was named to the All-Star team again in 2003. In 2004, he had a huge game where he hit a grand slam and another home run, driving in seven runs.

Final Years as a Royal (2005–2007)

Sweeney with the Royals at Tropicana Field in 2007

In 2005, Sweeney was named the Royals' Player of the Year for the third time. He was also selected for his fifth and final All-Star team. Back problems continued to bother him, and in 2006 he played in only 60 games.

One of his memorable moments came on September 1, 2006. A pitcher for the Minnesota Twins was close to throwing a no-hitter. With only two outs left in the game, Sweeney came in as a pinch hitter and got a hit, breaking up the no-hitter.

Playing for Other Teams

Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners

In 2008, Sweeney signed with the Oakland Athletics. His time there was short due to a knee injury. He then joined the Seattle Mariners in 2009. While with the Mariners, he hit his 200th career home run. He re-signed with Seattle for the 2010 season.

Philadelphia Phillies and Retirement

In August 2010, Sweeney was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. This gave him the first chance in his long career to play in the postseason.

On March 25, 2011, Sweeney signed a special one-day contract with the Kansas City Royals so he could officially retire as a member of the team he loved.

Life After Baseball

Return to the Royals

In 2014, the Royals hired Sweeney as a special assistant. He said his goal was to help the team get back to the playoffs. That same year, the Royals made it to the postseason for the first time in 29 years, reaching the World Series.

Honors and Awards

Sweeney was known for his great character and work in the community. He won the Hutch Award, which is given to players who show a fighting spirit. The Royals also created the Mike Sweeney Award to honor a player who represents the team well on and off the field.

In 2015, he was inducted into the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame.

Saying Goodbye to Kansas City Fans

On the day before his final game as a Royal in 2007, Sweeney bought a full-page ad in The Kansas City Star newspaper to thank the fans. During his last game, the fans gave him several long standing ovations. After the game, he and his children ran the bases, a tradition at Kauffman Stadium.

Personal Life

Sweeney married his wife, Shara, in 2002. She is the daughter of former MLB player Jim Nettles. They have six children together. Sweeney is known for being very active in his community and with charities. He is also a devout Catholic and has spoken about his faith.

Career Statistics

See also

• List of Kansas City Royals team records