Mike Sweeney appreciation thread

Dr. Johnny Fever · 06-13-2005, 09:03 AM

I'm more than a little tired of listening to people bash Mike Sweeney. He's always hurt, he doesn't slide hard enough into the catcher, he's got an iron glove.... bla, bla, bla... get real.

Mike Sweeney has done nothing to deserve the shit so many so called Royals fans often like to sling his way. These idiots that demand he be traded for prospects, that he's soft, that he isn't the perfect mix of Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio. These are the same fans that whine about losing every good player we have to free agency because the Royals can't or won't pay them enough to stay around. The same people who constantly bitch about our "minor league roster" but are more than willing to part with the best player on the team so we can get more minor leaguers.

Listen up folks...and you know who you are. When an opposing pitcher looks over the Royals' line-up, who do you think makes them make any adjustments outside of doing whatever the hell they want to do? Ruben Gotay? Mark Teahen? Terrance Long? David DeJesus? No...Mike Sweeney is the only bone-fide threat in the line-up. Mike Sweeney is the only guy that the opposing team doesn't want at the plate with runners on. Mike Sweeney is the only guy who can make the opposing pitcher sweat a little... just a little.

Mike Sweeney could have bolted KC like so many before him, long ago. He didn't have to sign a contract extension to stay in a small market, on a bad team, with little or no real future playoff aspirations...but he did. All he asked was that his employers do everything they could do to field a winning team for ONE season. He didn't ask for a championship or he's gone. He didn't even demand that the Royals win the weakest division in baseball. He asked that they show the same kind of commitment to winning and dedication to the team for ONE season that he has shown. ONE DAMN SEASON! That's all it took for Sweeney's new contract extension to go into effect. His team met the challenge two years ago, finished over .500 and have done little but back-pedal ever since... but is Mike demanding a trade? No. Instead he's getting in his team-mates faces, leading by example and trying to win.

Sure, Sweeney has had some injury problems. I'm pretty certain that it hasn't been because he WANTS to be injured. I'm reasonably confident that he doesn't feel like his team doesn't need him or that he's just acting like a prima donna who tired of being on the field and wants some time off. No, Mike Sweeney wants to play. He wants to help his team-mates get better. He wants to win...in Kansas City. Not in New York or Boston or LA.... IN KANSAS CITY! HE'S HERE BECAUSE HE CHOOSES TO BE! HE'S THE ONE BONA-FIDE STAR WHO HASN'T USED KC AS AN AUDITION TO GET A BIG FAT PAYCHECK IN A SPOTLIGHT CITY!

Mike Sweeney is a good guy too. Not just a run of the mill good guy... but a really good guy. He's a part of the community. He's a team player. He's the real deal.

No, he isn't the best first baseman in baseball... but he's not the worst either. Yes, his back problems have been frustrating for Royals fan. You think maybe they've been even more frustrating for him though? I imagine his back would give out from time to time carrying the entire franchise on it for so long... then getting shit from fans for how he does it.

Mike Sweeney deserves better. From his front-office, from his team-mates, from mlb as a whole, but mostly from Royals fans who are too busy whinning about his imperfections too see the big picture. Mike Sweeney is the face of a mostly faceless organization. He's done nothing but work hard, play hard and promote Kansas City. He wants nothing more than to win.....HERE. That alone makes him more worthy than any of his recent predecessors of our loyalty and appreciation.

Goapics1 · 06-13-2005, 09:04 AM

He needs traded for some young pitchers.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 06-13-2005, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apics1

He needs traded for some young pitchers.

I'm gonna guess that you're kidding since young pitchers are the one thing we seem to have an abundance of.

Demonpenz · 06-13-2005, 09:06 AM

When's the last time sweeney had a clutch rbi homerun or hit

**ChiTown** · 06-13-2005, 09:07 AM

Nice rant.

Fact is, Sweeney doesn't make this team better when you have a youth movement going on. His $11MM/yr salary soaks up a lot of the overall dollars needed to fund a team in KC. I love Sweeney. He's a great guy, a helluva player, and probably a fantastic teammate. He's just the wrong guy for this club right now. When I see Sweemey, I see a possible young corner outfielder or a budding SS prospect. Sorry, but that's just the way it is for me.

BigChiefFan · 06-13-2005, 09:08 AM

I'm always in the corner of the player who CHOOSES to stick around for the boys in blue. Sweeney has been a solid player for us and I appreciate his effort throughout the years.

Goapics1 · 06-13-2005, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beer me

I'm gonna guess that you're kidding since young pitchers are the one thing we seem to have an abundance of.

Nope. Never have enough pitching.

**ChiTown** · 06-13-2005, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

I'm always in the corner of the player who CHOOSES to stick around for the boys in blue. Sweeney has been a solid player for us and I appreciate his effort throughout the years.

Umm, he chose to stick around, and also got a $55MM contract.

There's no questioning Mikes Character or his loyalty, but let's at least be a bit honest with ourselves, ok?

Dr. Johnny Fever · 06-13-2005, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Nice rant.

Fact is, Sweeney doesn't make this team better when you have a youth movement going on. His $11MM/yr salary soaks up a lot of the overall dollars needed to fund a team in KC. I love Sweeney. He's a great guy, a helluva player, and probably a fantastic teammate. He's just the wrong guy for this club right now. When I see Sweemey, I see a possible young corner outfielder or a budding SS prospect. Sorry, but that's just the way it is for me.

First off I don't know who's ranting but whatever you want to believe.

Secondly, the Royals are always rebuidling, they just don't always use the word.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 06-13-2005, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Umm, he chose to stick around, and also got a $55MM contract.

There's no questioning Mikes Character or his loyalty, but let's at least be a bit honest with ourselves, ok?

He deserved every penny of it. He could've gotten more elsewhere. That's being honest.

BigChiefFan · 06-13-2005, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Umm, he chose to stick around, and also got a $55MM contract.

There's no questioning Mikes Character or his loyalty, but let's at least be a bit honest with ourselves, ok?

There's no question money talks, I never implied any differently. In fact, I agree, that Sweeney's money is probably better spent elsewhere, but he did take LESS to stay in Kansas City. I avoided the money issue earlier, because I just wanted to chime in on him being a TEAM player. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 06-13-2005, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apics1

Nope. Never have enough pitching.

until you can't score any runs..... (see first 40 games of the season)

Goapics1 · 06-13-2005, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beer me

until you can't score any runs..... (see first 40 games of the season)

That was an abberation. Gather enough young pitching prospects, then trade some for everyday players. All teams are always looking for pitching. I am not a GM but I play one on TV.

**ChiTown** · 06-13-2005, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

There's no question money talks, I never implied any differently. In fact, I agree, that Sweeney's money is probably better spent elsewhere, but he did take LESS to stay in Kansas City. I avoided the money issue earlier, because I just wanted to chime in on him being a TEAM player. Nothing more. Nothing less.

That's cool.

I just think money plays a part in everything you do in professional sports......no matter who the player is.

Beerme:
At the time, he probably took $2-3MM less per year. I could be wrong, but I don't recall anyone, but the Royals, talking about a 5 year deal.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 06-13-2005, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apics1

That was an abberation. Gather enough young pitching prospects, then trade some for everyday players. All teams are always looking for pitching. I am not a GM but I play one on TV.

I have to respectfully disagree that it was an abberation that we had trouble scoring with such heavy hitters as Teahen, Buck, Graffanino, Marerro and Gotay. I'm just thankful that they're finally starting to get the hang of it.... for now at least.

06-13-2005, 09:03 AM
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	Mike Sweeney appreciation thread I'm more than a little tired of listening to people bash Mike Sweeney. He's always hurt, he doesn't slide hard enough into the catcher, he's got an iron glove.... bla, bla, bla... get real. Mike Sweeney has done nothing to deserve the shit so many so called Royals fans often like to sling his way. These idiots that demand he be traded for prospects, that he's soft, that he isn't the perfect mix of Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio. These are the same fans that whine about losing every good player we have to free agency because the Royals can't or won't pay them enough to stay around. The same people who constantly bitch about our "minor league roster" but are more than willing to part with the best player on the team so we can get more minor leaguers. Listen up folks...and you know who you are. When an opposing pitcher looks over the Royals' line-up, who do you think makes them make any adjustments outside of doing whatever the hell they want to do? Ruben Gotay? Mark Teahen? Terrance Long? David DeJesus? No...Mike Sweeney is the only bone-fide threat in the line-up. Mike Sweeney is the only guy that the opposing team doesn't want at the plate with runners on. Mike Sweeney is the only guy who can make the opposing pitcher sweat a little... just a little. Mike Sweeney could have bolted KC like so many before him, long ago. He didn't have to sign a contract extension to stay in a small market, on a bad team, with little or no real future playoff aspirations...but he did. All he asked was that his employers do everything they could do to field a winning team for ONE season. He didn't ask for a championship or he's gone. He didn't even demand that the Royals win the weakest division in baseball. He asked that they show the same kind of commitment to winning and dedication to the team for ONE season that he has shown. ONE DAMN SEASON! That's all it took for Sweeney's new contract extension to go into effect. His team met the challenge two years ago, finished over .500 and have done little but back-pedal ever since... but is Mike demanding a trade? No. Instead he's getting in his team-mates faces, leading by example and trying to win. Sure, Sweeney has had some injury problems. I'm pretty certain that it hasn't been because he WANTS to be injured. I'm reasonably confident that he doesn't feel like his team doesn't need him or that he's just acting like a prima donna who tired of being on the field and wants some time off. No, Mike Sweeney wants to play. He wants to help his team-mates get better. He wants to win...in Kansas City. Not in New York or Boston or LA.... IN KANSAS CITY! HE'S HERE BECAUSE HE CHOOSES TO BE! HE'S THE ONE BONA-FIDE STAR WHO HASN'T USED KC AS AN AUDITION TO GET A BIG FAT PAYCHECK IN A SPOTLIGHT CITY! Mike Sweeney is a good guy too. Not just a run of the mill good guy... but a really good guy. He's a part of the community. He's a team player. He's the real deal. No, he isn't the best first baseman in baseball... but he's not the worst either. Yes, his back problems have been frustrating for Royals fan. You think maybe they've been even more frustrating for him though? I imagine his back would give out from time to time carrying the entire franchise on it for so long... then getting shit from fans for how he does it. Mike Sweeney deserves better. From his front-office, from his team-mates, from mlb as a whole, but mostly from Royals fans who are too busy whinning about his imperfections too see the big picture. Mike Sweeney is the face of a mostly faceless organization. He's done nothing but work hard, play hard and promote Kansas City. He wants nothing more than to win.....HERE. That alone makes him more worthy than any of his recent predecessors of our loyalty and appreciation.
Posts: 34,865

06-13-2005, 09:04 AM	#2
Goapics1 Ghetto Superstar Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Midwest Casino cash: $10004900	He needs traded for some young pitchers.
Posts: 4,756

06-13-2005, 09:06 AM	#4
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $-273864	When's the last time sweeney had a clutch rbi homerun or hit __________________
Posts: 54,946

06-13-2005, 09:07 AM	#5
ChiTown Stroking to the SB Champs! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Flatlands of Kansas Casino cash: $-411038	Nice rant. Fact is, Sweeney doesn't make this team better when you have a youth movement going on. His $11MM/yr salary soaks up a lot of the overall dollars needed to fund a team in KC. I love Sweeney. He's a great guy, a helluva player, and probably a fantastic teammate. He's just the wrong guy for this club right now. When I see Sweemey, I see a possible young corner outfielder or a budding SS prospect. Sorry, but that's just the way it is for me. __________________
Posts: 40,913

06-13-2005, 09:08 AM	#6
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	I'm always in the corner of the player who CHOOSES to stick around for the boys in blue. Sweeney has been a solid player for us and I appreciate his effort throughout the years. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777