Mike Sweeney

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.

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.

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.

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 was drafted by the Royals as a catcher out of Ontario High School (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 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 as a catcher.

He got his first major league base hit against Cleveland Indians' pitcher Paul Assenmacher at Jacobs Field in the final game of the season.

While Sweeney's ability with the bat impressed the Royals, they were less than enamored with his skills behind the plate.

Sweeney hit his first home run, off Seattle Mariners' pitcher Jamie Moyer, on August 12, 1996.

It was a three-run shot.

Sweeney split catching duties with Mike Macfarlane in 1997.

He belted a two-run, ninth inning, game-winning home run off then Detroit Tigers' pitcher Doug Brocail on May 15, 1997.

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, 1998.

Sweeney missed hitting for the cycle by approximately 40 feet, when he retreated to second base on what appeared to be a sure triple in the eighth inning with the Kansas City Royals leading by a 12-6 score.

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, 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 led the team and his 22 home runs and 102 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.

In 2000, Sweeney was selected to his first of five All-Star games.

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.

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

Sweeney was ejected in a game versus the Detroit Tigers on August 10 (his first career ejection) after charging pitcher Jeff Weaver in the sixth inning.

Weaver, who was a member of the Tigers at the time, 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.

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.

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.