baseballimo.com

New Season, New Team for Sweeney

February 15th, 2008

It will be a new experience for Mike Sweeney this season as he says goodbye to the Kansas City Royals.  He officially agreed to a minor league contract with Oakland Athletics last Monday, Feb 11.  He also accepted an invitation from the club for spring training.

 

Mike Sweeney, an All-Star for four consecutive years in 2000 to 2003, and again in 2005, has played 13 seasons with the Royals.  He hit .299 and drove in about 83 runs six times.  He was drafted by the Royals in the 10th round in 1991.  In 2003, he became captain for the 2003 opener.  However, the 34-year old designated hitter and first baseman’s injuries had limited his plays.  In 2007, his right knee injury caused him to play 74 games, while in 2006 his back injury caused him to play 60 games only.

 

The Royals decided not to bring him back in 2008 because of Billy Butler, who gave a good performance last season as designated hitter when Sweeney had his injury.  But Sweeney is taking it all in good stride.  He said that he looked for other opportunities to play when Kansas City Royals showed that they weren’t thinking of bringing him back.  He said he’s going to miss his teammates, but it was time to move on.

 

 

Entry Filed under: Kansas City Royals