View source for Mike Sweeney

{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1973)}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Mike Sweeney
|image=Carlos Correa meets Royals legend Mike Sweeney (22423282197).jpg
|caption=Sweeney (right) with [[Carlos Correa]] in 2015
|position=[[Designated hitter]] / [[First baseman]] / [[Catcher]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1973|7|22}}
|birth_place=[[Orange, California]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=September 14
|debutyear=1995
|debutteam=Kansas City Royals
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=October 3
|finalyear=2010
|finalteam=Philadelphia Phillies
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.297
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=215
|stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=909
|teams=
* [[Kansas City Royals]] ({{mlby|1995}}–{{mlby|2007}})
* [[Oakland Athletics]] ({{mlby|2008}})
* [[Seattle Mariners]] ({{mlby|2009}}–{{mlby|2010}})
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|2010}})
|awards=
* 5× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2000 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2000]]–[[2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2003]], [[2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2005]])
*[[Kansas City Royals]] [[Captain (baseball)|captain]] (2003–2007)
* [[Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame]]
}}
'''Michael John Sweeney''' (born July 22, 1973) is an American former [[Major League Baseball]] [[designated hitter]] and [[first baseman]]. Sweeney played his first 13 seasons in the majors with the [[Kansas City Royals]], first as a [[catcher]], then at [[first base]] and designated hitter. Sweeney also played for the [[Oakland Athletics]], [[Seattle Mariners]], and [[Philadelphia Phillies]]. On March 25, 2011, Sweeney retired from baseball. He now works as a special assistant for the Kansas City Royals.  Sweeney was inducted into the [[Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame]] on August 15, 2015.

==Major league career==

===Kansas City Royals===
{{More citations needed|section|date=January 2025}}

==== 1991–1997: Minor leagues and MLB debut ====
Sweeney was drafted by the Royals as a [[catcher]] out of [[Ontario High School (California)|Ontario High School]] ([[Ontario, California]])<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-08-04 |title=Sweeney to coach at Ontario again |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2009/08/04/sweeney-to-coach-at-ontario-again/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Daily News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=writer |first=Lance Pugmire Lance Pugmire is the Los Angeles Times’ former boxing/MMA/Ducks beat |date=2009-02-06 |title=Mike Sweeney answers a call for help |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-feb-06-sp-sweeney-baseball6-story.html |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> 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 Ontario High School. He had just led his Varsity baseball team as the team captain to a CIF victory with an undefeated record of 26–0 for the 1991 season.

Sweeney made his major league debut on September 14, 1995 at catcher. He got his first major league [[Hit (baseball)|hit]] against [[Paul Assenmacher]] of the [[Cleveland Indians]] during the final game of the season. 

While Sweeney's ability with the bat impressed the Royals, they were less than enamored with his defensive skills as a catcher, having him work with starter Mike Macfarlane on his defense.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Rieper |first=Max |date=2015-08-15 |title=Remembering Mike Sweeney |url=https://www.royalsreview.com/2015/8/15/9151917/remembering-mike-sweeney-royals-hall-of-fame |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Royals Review |language=en}}</ref>

Sweeney hit his first major league [[home run]], off [[Seattle Mariners]]' [[pitcher]] [[Jamie Moyer]], on August 12, 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike Sweeney 1996 Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=sweenmi01&t=b&year=1996 |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kansas City Royals vs Seattle Mariners Box Score: August 12, 1996 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA199608120.shtml |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

Sweeney caught 76 games in 1997, splitting time with Macfarlane.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1997 Kansas City Royals Fielding Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/1997-fielding.shtml#all_players_standard_fielding_c |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He hit a two-run, walk-off home run off [[Doug Brocail]] of the [[Detroit Tigers]] on May 15, 1997 in his only at bat of the game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals Box Score: May 15, 1997 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA199705150.shtml |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

====1998: Primary catcher====
In 1998, Sweeney played in his first [[Opening Day]] game. He tied a club record with two hits in an inning versus the [[Oakland A's]] on May 31. Sweeney missed [[hitting for the cycle]] by approximately 40 feet, when he retreated to [[second base]] on what appeared to be a sure [[Triple (baseball)|triple]] in the eighth inning with the [[Kansas City Royals]] leading by a 12–6 score. He caught 91 games, the most of his major league career,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike Sweeney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sweenmi01.shtml |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> serving as the regular starter after Macfarlane was traded midseason.<ref name=":0" />

====1999–2001====
Sweeney's 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 (baseball)|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. His .322 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] led the team and his 22 home runs and 102 [[Run batted in|RBI]] were second and third on the team, respectively. From July 18 to August 13, Sweeney had a hit in 25 consecutive games, collecting 42 hits total. The 25-game [[hitting streak]] is tied for fourth longest in Royals history with [[George Brett]]'s 25-game streak in 1983, trailing only [[Whit Merrifield]]'s 31-game streak spanning 2018–2019, Brett's 30-game streak in 1980 and [[José Offerman]]'s 27-game streak in 1998.

In 2000, Sweeney was selected to his first of five [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] games. He joined [[Jermaine Dye]] to become the first pair of Royals to go to the Mid-Summer Classic since 1989 ([[Bo Jackson]] and [[Mark Gubicza]]). Sweeney passed the 100 RBI mark for the second straight year on August 13, 2000, reaching the century mark faster than any player in Royals history. He finished second in the league with a club record 144 RBI, behind only Seattle's [[Edgar Martínez]]'s 145 RBI, and breaking [[Hal McRae]]'s 1982 team mark of 133.

In June 2001, Sweeney hit .392 with 11 home runs and 29 RBI with a .794 [[slugging percentage]] and was named the [[American League]] [[MLB Player of the Month|Player of the Month]] for the only time in his career.

=====Sweeney vs. Weaver=====
Sweeney had his first career ejection against the Detroit Tigers on August 10 after charging pitcher [[Jeff Weaver]] in the sixth inning. Weaver was pitching to Sweeney. In between pitches, Sweeney asked the home plate umpire if Weaver could be asked to move the rosin bag from the top of the mound. After that, Weaver put his glove over his mouth and appeared to say something "Webster never put in his dictionary" to Sweeney.<ref>[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-7873695_ITM Weaver's `bad' attitude a part of fighting spirit.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213232920/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-7873695_ITM|date=February 13, 2009}}</ref> Sweeney was offended and launched his batting helmet at Weaver while charging the pitcher's mound. He eventually tackled Weaver, igniting a [[bench-clearing brawl]]. Sweeney said afterwards that Weaver had been criticizing the Royals' younger players and Sweeney's faith. Sweeney's teammates did not deny his comments. [[Paul Byrd]] was one of the first to aid Sweeney as he held back the Tigers' catcher so that Sweeney could reach Weaver. Sweeney missed the next 15 games, five due to a "bruised hand" and the next ten to serve a suspension, his first career suspension. Prior to that, he had played in 171 consecutive games.

====2002–2004====
Sweeney had one of the best seasons of his career in 2002, hitting .340, the second-highest batting average in the American League and the second-highest in club history, behind George Brett's .390 in 1980. He had a chance of winning the A.L. batting crown through the season's final weekend but fell short of [[Manny Ramírez]], who hit a league-best .349. Sweeney was hitting .347 on September 24 before going 2-for-16 in his final four games.

On August 14, 2002, he became the fifth Royal in club history to record a straight [[Stolen base|steal]] of home and the first since [[Fred Patek]] versus [[Minnesota Twins|Minnesota]] on June 18, 1977, with a stolen base off the [[New York Yankees]]' [[Andy Pettitte]]. His stolen base came on a 1-2 count with [[Left-handedness|left-hander]] [[Aaron Guiel]] at the plate and gave the Royals a 2–1 lead, but KC lost the game, 3–2, in 14 innings.

Sweeney was placed on the [[disabled list]] for the first time in his career on July 26, 2002 (retroactive to July 14) with a lower back and hip strain. He would continue to have injury problems throughout the rest of his career, including a lengthy DL stint during the 2003 season, with the Royals seeking their first winning season since the strike-shortened 1994 season, where they went 64–51.

During the 2003 season, Sweeney was named to his fourth consecutive Major League All-Star Game, joining Royals [[Closer (baseball)|closer]] [[Mike MacDougal]], marking the first time since 2000 (Sweeney and [[Jermaine Dye]]) that Kansas had two representatives and just the second time since 1989 ([[Bo Jackson]] and [[Mark Gubicza]]).

On July 22, 2004, Sweeney hit a [[Grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] and later hit an insurance three-run home run in a 13–7 Kansas City win. The seven RBI would be a career-high for Sweeney. He would go on to bat .287 with 22 home runs and 79 RBI during the 2004 season.

Through the 2004 season, Sweeney compiled a .305 average with 161 home runs and 683 RBI in 1,026 games.

====2005–2007====
In 2005, Sweeney was named the Royals' player of the year for the third time in his career. He led the team in average (.300) for the sixth time in his career, [[Double (baseball)|doubles]] (39) and home runs (21), despite playing in just 122 games. Sweeney was named the Players Choice Marvin Miller Man of the Year and was also named to the All-Star team for the fifth time in six seasons and the final time in his career.

Sweeney was restricted to designated hitter and was able to play just 60 games because of back problems in 2006. After returning from the disabled list on August 8, Sweeney hit .293 with six homers and 26 RBI, but missed another five games with a sore side.
[[File:Mike Sweeney (543523365) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Sweeney with the Royals at [[Tropicana Field]] in 2007]]
On September 1, his first day back off the DL, Sweeney [[Pinch hitter|pinch-hit]] in the bottom of the ninth and hit a bloop base hit that broke up [[Minnesota Twins]] starting [[pitcher]] [[Scott Baker (right-handed pitcher)|Scott Baker]]'s [[no-hitter]]. Baker had gone eight [[Perfect game (baseball)|perfect]] innings before he [[Base on balls|walked]] Royals [[catcher]] [[John Buck (baseball)|John Buck]] at the beginning of the ninth. With two outs to go, Royals [[Manager (baseball)|manager]] [[Buddy Bell]] pinch-hit Sweeney for [[Tony Peña Jr.]] and Sweeney ended the no-hitter.<ref>[http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070831&content_id=2181446&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc The Official Site of The Kansas City Royals: News: Sweeney's return pays off for Royals<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023133656/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070831&content_id=2181446&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |date=October 23, 2013 }}</ref>
Sweeney won the [[Hutch Award]], which honors players who exemplify a fighting spirit, honoring [[Fred Hutchinson]], who died of cancer in 1964.<ref>[http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071115&content_id=2301392&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Sweeney wins 2007 Hutch Award<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023133658/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071115&content_id=2301392&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |date=October 23, 2013 }}</ref>

===Oakland Athletics===
On February 10, 2008, Sweeney signed a minor league contract, with an invitation to spring training, with the [[Oakland Athletics]].<ref>[http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080210&content_id=2369991&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: A's ink Sweeney to Minor League deal<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023133702/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080210&content_id=2369991&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp |date=October 23, 2013 }}</ref>

After a strong spring in which he hit .308 with a home run, Sweeney's contract was purchased on March 25, 2008. Sweeney underwent [[arthroscopic]] surgery on his troublesome left knee on June 11, and was expected to miss four to six weeks. After a brief return from the disabled list, Sweeney was released by the A's on September 9.

After considering retirement, Sweeney said he would like to play one more year before retiring.<ref name="omy">{{cite web |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090106&content_id=3734843&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |title=Sweeney hopes to play one more year |access-date=2009-01-07 |author=Dick Kaegal |author-link=MLB.com |date=January 7, 2009 |work=MLB.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214084122/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090106&content_id=3734843&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=February 14, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

=== Seattle Mariners ===
On January 29, 2009, Sweeney signed a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training with the Seattle Mariners,<ref>[http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/mariners/2009/01/29/mariners_sign_mike_sweeney.html Sweeney inks deal with M's] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803230751/http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/mariners/2009/01/29/mariners_sign_mike_sweeney.html |date=August 3, 2016 }}</ref> citing his desire to play for Mariners' [[Manager (baseball)|manager]] [[Don Wakamatsu]] who was Sweeney's bench coach in Oakland.<ref>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2008685457_mari30.html?syndication=rss Mariners sign Mike Sweeney] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215130111/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2008685457_mari30.html?syndication=rss |date=February 15, 2009 }}</ref> Sweeney made the major-league club [[Opening Day]] roster as a bench player. On April 22, 2009, Sweeney left the game during his first at-bat due to back spasms.

On May 3, 2009, Sweeney hit his first home run as a Mariner and 200th of his career in the 4th inning at [[Safeco Field]] against the [[Oakland Athletics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd%3D20090503%26content_id%3D4543906%26vkey%3Drecap%26fext%3D.jsp%26c_id%3Dsea |title=No-quit Mariners stun A's in 15th |access-date=2009-05-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406124418/http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090503&content_id=4543906&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea |archive-date=April 6, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref> On August 6, in a return to Kansas City, Sweeney hit his 100th home run in [[Kauffman Stadium]] in an 8–2 loss to the Royals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd%3D20090806%26content_id%3D6289260%26vkey%3Drecap%26fext%3D.jsp%26c_id%3Dsea |title=Sweeney hits milestone, but Seattle falls |access-date=2009-08-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406124430/http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090806&content_id=6289260&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea |archive-date=April 6, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref>

On November 5, 2009, Sweeney declared free agency.<ref>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thehotstoneleague/2010211878_beltre_sweeney_file_for_free_a.html Beltre, Sweeney file for free agency] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108033108/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thehotstoneleague/2010211878_beltre_sweeney_file_for_free_a.html |date=November 8, 2009 }}</ref>

On February 12, 2010, Sweeney re-signed with the Mariners to a minor league deal.<ref>[http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100212&content_id=8067382&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea Sweeney returns to Mariners on Minors deal] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406124414/http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100212&content_id=8067382&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea |date=April 6, 2012 }}</ref>

On March 30 the Mariners placed reserve first baseman/corner outfielder [[Ryan Garko]] on waivers, clearing room on the 25-man roster for Sweeney. Sweeney was not expected to make the team at the start of spring training but hit over .500 in exhibition games to beat out Garko. Sweeney would hit .263 with six home runs and 18 RBI during his time with the Mariners in 2010.

In May 2010, Sweeney was involved in an interesting situation. Teammate [[Ken Griffey Jr.]] was accused of napping during a pinch hitting opportunity, also known as "Napgate". Sweeney said he challenged anyone who said Griffey was asleep "to stand up and fight me"; however, Griffey did not deny the accusation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Ken-Griffey-teammate-says-he-was-not-sleeping-during-game |title=Junior's teammate issues challenge |last=Rosenthal |first=Ken |work=Fox Sports |date=May 11, 2010 |access-date=January 21, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224223623/http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Ken-Griffey-teammate-says-he-was-not-sleeping-during-game |archive-date=December 24, 2013 }}</ref>

=== Philadelphia Phillies ===
On August 4, Sweeney was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies to replace injured first baseman [[Ryan Howard]] for a player to be named later and/or cash considerations.

Sweeney hit his first home run as a Phillie on August 29, 2010 in a 5–0 win over the San Diego Padres. With the Phillies, he also made the first postseason appearance of his career, going one for one at the plate in the NLDS.

On March 25, 2011 Sweeney signed a one-day contract with the Kansas City Royals and retired.<ref>[http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/25/mike-sweeney-retires/ Mike Sweeney retires] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401135725/http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/25/mike-sweeney-retires/ |date=April 1, 2012 }}</ref> He threw out the first pitch of the [[2011 Kansas City Royals season|2011 season]] for the Kansas City Royals on opening day.

On Tuesday, May 26, 2015, Mike Sweeney was inducted into the [http://www.irishbaseballhall.net/ Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame], along with former Marlins manager Jack McKeon, broadcaster Dave O'Brien, New York Mets p.r. executive Shannon Forde, and Bill Murray, the comedic actor and owner of several minor league baseball teams.

He appeared on the ballot for the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum]] [[Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 2016|2016 election]] and earned three votes.<ref>[http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2605588-2016-bbwaa-hall-of-fame-election-results-announced http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2605588-2016-bbwaa-hall-of-fame-election-results-announced] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312150244/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2605588-2016-bbwaa-hall-of-fame-election-results-announced |date=March 12, 2016 }}</ref>

==MLB Network==
In March 2012, Sweeney joined the [[MLB Network]] as a studio analyst.<ref>[http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120328&content_id=27703578&vkey=pr_mlb_network&c_id=mlb MLB Network press release] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023014608/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120328&content_id=27703578&vkey=pr_mlb_network&c_id=mlb |date=October 23, 2013 }}</ref> He would leave the network shortly after making his first few appearances on [[MLB Tonight]].

==Last days as a Royal==
On September 29, 2007, the day before his final game, Sweeney took out a full page ad in the sports section of ''[[The Kansas City Star]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3043675 | title=Sweeney purchases full-page ad to thank fans, organization | work=ESPN.com | agency=Associated Press | date=September 30, 2007 | access-date=February 7, 2014}}</ref>

The following day, September 30, Sweeney took the field against the [[Cleveland Indians]] in front of 19,104 fans at [[Kauffman Stadium]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]]. Sweeney's first at bat was interrupted by a standing ovation. His second at bat was delayed as well due to applause. Sweeney was removed from first base in the 7th inning and was given a third standing ovation. Sweeney entered the dugout, and upon still hearing fans roaring, he exited the dugout towards the field and bowed, waved, and said "Thank you." After the game, Sweeney and his two children rounded the bases as part of a Sunday home game tradition at Kauffman Stadium called "Sunday Fan Fun Run." Then he spent time talking to reporters, and as always, signed autographs for fans before he left the parking lot. Since leaving the [[Kansas City Royals]] his Number 29 has been left out of circulation leading some to believe the Royals might end up retiring his number one day. After leaving the Royals, Sweeney ended up wearing #5 for the rest of his career with the [[Oakland Athletics]], [[Seattle Mariners]], and [[Philadelphia Phillies]].

==Return to Royals==
In February 2014, the Kansas City Royals announced that they had hired Sweeney as a special assistant to baseball operations.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/10419061/kansas-city-royals-add-former-player-mike-sweeney-front-office | title=Mike Sweeney back with Royals | work=ESPN.com | agency=Associated Press | date=February 7, 2014 | access-date=February 7, 2014}}</ref> Sweeney's response to receiving the new job: "The only thing I was unable to accomplish during my playing days was to bring October baseball back to Kansas City. With this new position, my goal is do as much as I can to help the Royals get back to being one of the prized organizations in baseball, as it was in the 1980s."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140207&content_id=67538940&vkey=pr_kc&c_id=kc | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221214544/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140207&content_id=67538940&vkey=pr_kc&c_id=kc | url-status=dead | archive-date=February 21, 2014 | title=Royals name former player Mike Sweeney Special Assistant to Baseball Operations | work=MLB.com | date=February 7, 2014 | access-date=February 7, 2014}}</ref> Sweeney settled into the role quite quickly, attending the Royals' spring training in [[Surprise, Arizona]] as a guest instructor that same month. That year, the Royals made the postseason for the first time in 29 years.

==Personal life==
On November 9, 2002, Sweeney married Shara Nettles, the daughter of former major leaguer [[Jim Nettles]], niece of [[Graig Nettles]]. They have six children together; three sons and three daughters.<ref name="omy"/>

Due to fires in [[San Diego]] and the surrounding areas, Sweeney's family was forced to evacuate their home in [[Rancho Santa Fe]] and stay with his parents, who live in [[Ontario, California]]. He stated in a report on MLB.com that the few possessions that they took for safekeeping were their marriage certificate, three wedding photographs, birth certificates, and two pictures of his children with [[Pope Benedict XVI|Pope Benedict]], taken while they were in Rome the previous year. It was later reported that their house was still standing, although damaged by smoke and water.

===Community involvement===
A fluent speaker of Spanish,<ref name="w534">{{cite web | last=Merrill | first=Elizabeth | title=Merrill: Speaking Spanish eases the way | website=ESPN.com | date=2007-09-18 | url=https://www.espn.com/espn/hispanicheritage2007/news/story?id=3025837 | access-date=2025-02-02}}</ref> Sweeney was very active in the K.C. community while a member of the Royals. He has been a nominee for the [[Roberto Clemente]] Award, and has continued to support the community through various programs, including the Kansas City FCA chapter, Children's Mercy Hospital and the [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America|Boys and Girls Club]] of [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]].

Sweeney has also purchased a dirt field in a poorer section of downtown Kansas City. The baseball field, once used to sell drugs, is now called Sweeney Family Field.<ref>[http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070829&content_id=2178572&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Sweeney has impact on life in KC] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016221202/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070829&content_id=2178572&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |date=October 16, 2012 }}</ref>

He was named the 2003 and 2004 Good Guy in Sports by the ''[[Sporting News]]''. He teams up annually with former [[Kansas City Chiefs]] [[Fullback (American football)|fullback]] [[Tony Richardson (American football)|Tony Richardson]] to host the Sweeney-Richardson Golf Classic, which benefits a faith-based outreach program and
invites area charity and non-profit groups to attend Royals games as part of the "Sween Team".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070507105448/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=123041 Mike Sweeney biography]</ref>

Sweeney is known all around Kansas City for being very polite and friendly towards all fans. He always signs autographs for all the fans who ask for one before and after games whether on the field or in the parking lot.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120714220801/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=KC&p_theme=kc&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF4899CE779B2F&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Too good to be true? No, Mike Sweeney is nicest guy in sports]</ref><ref>[http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/seelteam/45679/ Royals’ Mike Sweeney relies on faith in Christ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228185959/http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/seelteam/45679/ |date=December 28, 2007 }}</ref>

Before the 2009 season, the Royals organization created the Mike Sweeney Award which recognizes a player best representing the organization on and off the field.<ref name="omy"/>

Sweeney was presented with the Mr. Baseball Award—the top honor at the Royals Awards dinner in January 2009. The award is named for Ewing Kauffman, founder of the Royals and the team for which Sweeney played 13 years and served as captain.

===Religion and activism===
Sweeney is a devout [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] and has appeared on [[EWTN]]'s ''Life on the Rock'', a program targeted towards young Christians. On October 24, 2006, he was featured in a political advertisement opposing an [[embryonic stem cell|embryonic stem cell research]] bill in [[Missouri]]. It was in response to a pro-embryonic research advertisement featuring actor [[Michael J. Fox]].  Sweeney appeared with [[Jim Caviezel]], [[Patricia Heaton]], [[Jeff Suppan]], and [[Kurt Warner]].

Sweeney is also the advisory chairman of the [http://www.catholicathletesforchrist.com Catholic Athletes for Christ] and spokesman for [https://www.lifeteen.com Life Teen], the largest Catholic [[youth ministry]] program in the United States.

On June 13, 2007, Mike and his wife Shara hosted the Lunch for Life<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071228023715/http://www.lunchforlife2007.com/Content.asp?IdS=03BBEB-C6097D0&RH=01120-A811 Lunch for Life 2007]</ref> and raised $60,000 for the crisis pregnancy centers throughout [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]]. They also honored a 19-year-old mother who was going to have an abortion but instead chose to have her baby. The Sweeneys gave the girl the first Life Award, which included gift certificates to salons and massage parlors and a grocery store, a baby stroller, a baby crib and clothes for the baby. She also received a $5,000 check to purchase a new automobile.

In 2010, Sweeney spoke to the ''[[National Catholic Register]]'' about his Catholic faith.<ref>[http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/mass-going_mariner_suits_up/ Mass-Going Mariner Suits Up] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229132111/http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/mass-going_mariner_suits_up/ |date=February 29, 2016 }}</ref>

Sweeney had "[[Lose My Soul]]" by [[TobyMac|Toby Mac]] played over the stadium sound system at [[Citizens Bank Park]] when he came up to bat. Mac used to be with the group [[DC Talk]].

In 2025, Sweeney met [[Pope Leo XIV]] in [[Vatican City]] and tried to "convert" the lifelong [[Chicago White Sox|White Sox]] fan to Royals fandom. Sweeney presented Leo with a customized Royals jersey bearing the number 267, denoting that Leo is the 267th pope.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grathoff |first=Pete |date=2025-10-01 |title=Mike Sweeney tried to get Pope Leo XIV to convert — to the Royals |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/mike-sweeney-tried-pope-leo-215545475.html |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> 

===Career statistics===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|Years
|Games
|[[Plate appearances|PA]]
|[[At bats|AB]]
|[[Run (baseball)|R]]
|[[Hit (baseball)|H]]
|[[Double (baseball)|2B]]
|[[Triple (baseball)|3B]]
|[[Home run|HR]]
|[[Runs batted in|RBI]]
|[[Stolen bases|SB]]
|[[Base on balls|BB]]
|[[Strikeouts|SO]]
|[[Batting average (baseball)|AVG]]
|[[On-base percentage|OBP]]
|[[Slugging percentage|SLG]]
|[[Fielding percentage|FLD%]]
|-
|16
|1454
|5848
|5188
|759
|1540
|325
|5
|215
|909
|53
|522
|613
|.297
|.366
|.486
|.989
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Los Angeles|Baseball|Biography}}
* [[List of Kansas City Royals team records]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{baseballstats|mlb=123041|espn=3360|br=s/sweenmi01|fangraphs=634|brm=sweene006mic}}
*[https://www.mikesweeney.org The Mike and Shara Sweeney Family Foundation]
:

{{S-start}}
{{Succession box| before = [[Jason Giambi]] | title = [[MLB Player of the Month|American League Player of the Month]]| years = June 2001 | after = [[Jim Thome]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{Hutch Award}}
{{Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award}}
{{MLB Network}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sweeney, Mike}}
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