Mike Sweeney

Michael John Sweeney

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 195 lb.
• High School Ontario (CA) High School
• Debut September 14, 1995
• Final Game October 3, 2010
• Born July 22, 1973 in Orange, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Mike Sweeney spent much of 2005-2007 on the disabled list for various injuries. In 2006, he collected an $11,000,000 paycheck despite appearing in only 60 games due to various injuries, including a bulging disc in his back. Sweeney took out a full-page ad in the Kansas City Star in 2007, thanking the fans and organization for their support over the years. It was the last of his 14 years with the club. He had been the Kansas City Royals' biggest star in the first years of the 2000s, making the All-Star team five of six years between 2000 and 2005. In 2003, he was named only the third team captain in team history following George Brett and Frank White who held the title jointly in 1989 and 1990, with Brett continuing by himself until hs retirement at the end of the 1993 season. Sweeney held the title until leaving the Royals in 2008, and there was no other captain until Salvador Perez received the honor in 2023.

He moved to the Oakland Athletics in 2008, earning a spot as a DH/1B. Sweeney appeared in 42 games for the A's as his injury problems came back to haunt him, causing him to miss most of the year after undergoing knee surgery in May. In 2009 he moved on to join the Seattle Mariners. Sweeney's injury issues continued as back problems limited him to only 74 games. But the Mariners liked what they saw enough to bring him back for the 2010 season. His back injuries once again limited his playing time, keeping him to appear in just 5 games in June and missing all of July. While on a minor league rehab assignment with the AAA Tacoma Rainiers Sweeney was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, whose starting first baseman, Ryan Howard, had just been placed on the DL. In his only stint in the National League Sweeney struggled as he hit only .231 with 2 homers and 8 RBI. Despite his struggles he was included on the Phillies postseason roster and made his postseason debut in Game 2 of the 2010 NLDS aganist the Cincinnati Reds. In his only at bat of the series he singled off Aroldis Chapman in the 8th inning. He did not appear in the 2010 NLCS as the Phillies fell to the San Francisco Giants. After the season Sweeney was granted free agency but failed to attract any offers. On March 25, 2011 he announced his retirement.

Sweeney originally came up as a catcher, converting to first base in 1999. He was an almost exact contemporary of near-namesake Mark Sweeney: Mark was drafted in the 9th round in 1991, and Mike in the 10th round. Both played over 1000 major league games, Mark from 1995 to 2008 and Mike from 1995 to 2010, and both played more games at first base than any other position.

He had a cameo in a sketch on Saturday Night Live on December 13, 1997. He is married to Shara Nettles, daughter of former big leaguer Jim Nettles. In 2012, he was hired as an analyst by the MLB Network.

Notable Achievements

• 5-time AL All-Star (2000-2003 & 2005)
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 6 (1999-2002, 2004 & 2005)
• 100 RBI Seasons: 2 (1999 & 2000)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1999 & 2000)
• 200 Hits Seasons: 1 (2000)

Related Sites

• Mike Sweeney at the SABR Bio Project
• Mike Sweeney on mlb.com