Injuries may force Sweeney to retire - Page 2

KingPriest2 · 05-04-2006, 10:15 AM

Injuries may force Sweeney to retire
But captain hopes to get healthy soon, return to lineup
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star
Twins party with Royals in town
Huber isn’t getting much work yet
MINNEAPOLIS — Royals captain Mike Sweeney might be doing nothing more than venting frustration over his latest injury, but he now acknowledges a willingness to think about retirement at the end of the season.

“If this thing lingers on through the summer,” he admitted, “it’s something I’d probably consider. But right now, I owe it to my teammates and ownership to make every effort to get healthy and get back in the lineup.”

Sweeney, 33, is expected to miss several weeks after being diagnosed Tuesday with another bulging cervical disk in his upper back. A similar injury caused him to miss 45 games in 2003 and 40 games in 2004 when he was forced to the disabled list.

“Don’t get me wrong,” he said. “I still have some fight left in me. Hopefully, it will be only a couple of weeks, and I can get back and help my teammates turn this thing around.”

The current problem involves a disk two levels higher than the one that troubled him in 2003-04.

Sweeney suffered the injury Monday night on a swing that produced a grounder to third in the seventh inning of a 3-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers. He described the feeling as “a lightning bolt going through my shoulder and down my (left) arm.”

Confirmation of the bulging disk came Tuesday morning after Sweeney returned to Kansas City for an examination by Steve Joyce, the club’s head physician. Sweeney then received a cortisone epidural as the first step in his treatment.

Tentative plans call for him to receive another epidural injection in two weeks.

The injury is the latest blow in a miserable season for Sweeney, who missed much of spring training because of a foot injury and is batting just .176 with two homers and six RBIs in 21 games.

His on-field struggles also made him a focal point for criticism by fans during the club’s disappointing start.

“It wouldn’t be human,” he admitted recently, “to say that being booed in my home stadium doesn’t hurt. But I understand.”

The Royals officially placed Sweeney on the 15-day disabled list before Wednesday’s series opener against the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome. They filled his place on the roster by recalling first baseman Justin Huber from Class AAA Omaha.

Sweeney is in the fourth season of a five-year contract that pays him $11 million a year. He previously indicated he might consider retirement after next season.

“You know what’s most frustrating?” he asked. “I’ve done everything in my power to be healthy. I’ve worked so hard. I’ve changed my lifestyle and my diet. I’m in the best shape I’ve been in for at least seven years.”

Coogs · 05-04-2006, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJJasonp

I thought he retired 3 years ago......

JBucc · 05-04-2006, 02:44 PM

Thanks for being a nice guy for the community, and don't tear anything on the way out.

Demonpenz · 05-04-2006, 03:01 PM

the pussification of america continues

sedated · 05-04-2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RP_McMurphy

No big surprise here. Sweeney is soft and a total waste of money for the Royals. I personally would cut him today and spend all of his salary on scouting and the farm systme.

um...I don't think it works that way.

Paul Palmer · 05-04-2006, 03:29 PM

Without a doubt..he was the most productive player in the KC lineup over the last three years...even with the injuries...The Royals HAD to sign ONE of their players to a long-term deal to survive their long line of bad drafts and farm management...It should have been BELTRAN without a doubt...but Sweeney has gotten alot out of a body and draft pick that was mediocre at best...PEOPLE ARE HATERS on here...GET OUT OF KC and maybe your outlook will improve...

Eleazar · 05-04-2006, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Palmer

The Royals HAD to sign ONE of their players to a long-term deal ...It should have been BELTRAN without a doubt

He was not resigning here at any price. His agent said that publically.

Simplex3 · 05-04-2006, 04:04 PM

So injuries may finally do what sucking never did.

Sure-Oz · 05-04-2006, 05:10 PM

Yeah cause sweeney has always sucked, man some fans really forget how he good he was before getting hurt.

Simplex3 · 05-04-2006, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

Yeah cause sweeney has always sucked, man some fans really forget how he good he was before getting hurt.

Did he ever have a good year AND play the entire season?

BigRock · 05-04-2006, 05:26 PM

Sweeney bashing is so tiresome. Even better is the "we should have spent that money on Damon or Beltran!" junk, like either of them were going to spend one more minute than they had to with this pathetic team. But Sweeney did and this is what he gets for it? He should have gotten out while the getting was good.

epitome1170 · 05-04-2006, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

Did he ever have a good year AND play the entire season?

Actually, yes. It has been a few years, but he put together a few solid years.

That being said I have also heard (on 610) talks about him and making him sound like one of the greatest ball players in the game when he was in his prime. He was not that either. He was average maybe slightly above average... nothing more. A solid player and a solid citizen... something to try to build a young franchise around, but the Royals organization failed to do that.

Sure-Oz · 05-04-2006, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRock

Sweeney bashing is so tiresome. Even better is the "we should have spent that money on Damon or Beltran!" junk, like either of them were going to spend one more minute than they had to with this pathetic team. But Sweeney did and this is what he gets for it? He should have gotten out while the getting was good.

Neither Damon or Beltran would've stayed....it's too bad for sweeney that he has health issues, he was a solid .300 hitter and 100rbi guy. Too many haters blaming him for what the management or lack there of has done. He gets ripped cause he makes the most money. I just hope we don't treat all our future stars like this, the guy was being called the next brett of the royals. I sure as hell hope that if brett played in this era and broke down like this he wouldn't be treated with such hate. Not like the guy can prevent his back failing him.

epitome1170 · 05-04-2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

I just hope we don't treat all our future stars like this,

I just hope we HAVE future stars

RufusRJones · 05-04-2006, 05:58 PM

I wonder if we could trade him for the Brat, Polish Sausage and Hot Dog from Miller Park? Those dudes get lots of cheers, probably more than any Royals player.

Sure-Oz · 05-04-2006, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epitome1170

I just hope we HAVE future stars

I am hoping Billy Butler, Alex Gordon and Chris Lubanski are those stars....they should make 2007 more fun, i guess watching cars drive by can too.

05-04-2006, 10:15 AM
KingPriest2 Super Grover Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $9095135	Injuries may force Sweeney to retire Injuries may force Sweeney to retire But captain hopes to get healthy soon, return to lineup By BOB DUTTON The Kansas City Star Twins party with Royals in town Huber isn’t getting much work yet MINNEAPOLIS — Royals captain Mike Sweeney might be doing nothing more than venting frustration over his latest injury, but he now acknowledges a willingness to think about retirement at the end of the season. “If this thing lingers on through the summer,” he admitted, “it’s something I’d probably consider. But right now, I owe it to my teammates and ownership to make every effort to get healthy and get back in the lineup.” Sweeney, 33, is expected to miss several weeks after being diagnosed Tuesday with another bulging cervical disk in his upper back. A similar injury caused him to miss 45 games in 2003 and 40 games in 2004 when he was forced to the disabled list. “Don’t get me wrong,” he said. “I still have some fight left in me. Hopefully, it will be only a couple of weeks, and I can get back and help my teammates turn this thing around.” The current problem involves a disk two levels higher than the one that troubled him in 2003-04. Sweeney suffered the injury Monday night on a swing that produced a grounder to third in the seventh inning of a 3-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers. He described the feeling as “a lightning bolt going through my shoulder and down my (left) arm.” Confirmation of the bulging disk came Tuesday morning after Sweeney returned to Kansas City for an examination by Steve Joyce, the club’s head physician. Sweeney then received a cortisone epidural as the first step in his treatment. Tentative plans call for him to receive another epidural injection in two weeks. The injury is the latest blow in a miserable season for Sweeney, who missed much of spring training because of a foot injury and is batting just .176 with two homers and six RBIs in 21 games. His on-field struggles also made him a focal point for criticism by fans during the club’s disappointing start. “It wouldn’t be human,” he admitted recently, “to say that being booed in my home stadium doesn’t hurt. But I understand.” The Royals officially placed Sweeney on the 15-day disabled list before Wednesday’s series opener against the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome. They filled his place on the roster by recalling first baseman Justin Huber from Class AAA Omaha. Sweeney is in the fourth season of a five-year contract that pays him $11 million a year. He previously indicated he might consider retirement after next season. “You know what’s most frustrating?” he asked. “I’ve done everything in my power to be healthy. I’ve worked so hard. I’ve changed my lifestyle and my diet. I’m in the best shape I’ve been in for at least seven years.”
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05-04-2006, 02:44 PM	#17
JBucc MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Casino cash: $10004952	Thanks for being a nice guy for the community, and don't tear anything on the way out.
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05-04-2006, 03:01 PM	#18
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $2682136	the pussification of america continues __________________
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05-04-2006, 03:29 PM	#20
Paul Palmer Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Arizona Casino cash: $10004900	Without a doubt..he was the most productive player in the KC lineup over the last three years...even with the injuries...The Royals HAD to sign ONE of their players to a long-term deal to survive their long line of bad drafts and farm management...It should have been BELTRAN without a doubt...but Sweeney has gotten alot out of a body and draft pick that was mediocre at best...PEOPLE ARE HATERS on here...GET OUT OF KC and maybe your outlook will improve...
Posts: 34

05-04-2006, 04:04 PM	#22
Simplex3 MVP Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $10004900	So injuries may finally do what sucking never did.
Posts: 28,527

05-04-2006, 05:26 PM	#25
BigRock Pritay Pritay Pritay Good Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The State of Euphoria Casino cash: $2985412	Sweeney bashing is so tiresome. Even better is the "we should have spent that money on Damon or Beltran!" junk, like either of them were going to spend one more minute than they had to with this pathetic team. But Sweeney did and this is what he gets for it? He should have gotten out while the getting was good.
Posts: 6,860

05-04-2006, 05:58 PM	#29
RufusRJones Starter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: All Star Wrestling Ring Casino cash: $10004900	I wonder if we could trade him for the Brat, Polish Sausage and Hot Dog from Miller Park? Those dudes get lots of cheers, probably more than any Royals player.
Posts: 57