Injuries may force Sweeney to retire

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.”

burt · 05-04-2006, 11:27 AM

alpha_omega · 05-04-2006, 11:32 AM

Buh-Bye!

CoMoChief · 05-04-2006, 11:38 AM

ALRIGHT!!!!!!!! CYA LATER DICKHEAD!!!!

KCChiefsFan88 · 05-04-2006, 12:47 PM

Should have traded him 2 years ago when he still had some value

58-4ever · 05-04-2006, 01:22 PM

good. Sweeney is a pussy. I find it hard to root for a guy when the strongest word to express his anger is "Dangit!" Don't let the door hit you in your pussy ass mikey.

Sure-Oz · 05-04-2006, 01:37 PM

Ive heard sweeney say far worse when striking out, i still like sweeney but man he isnt worth the money he is making at all.

Cochise · 05-04-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSPimpDude

ALRIGHT!!!!!!!! CYA LATER DICKHEAD!!!!

Yeah, he's a real jerk.

Halfcan · 05-04-2006, 01:48 PM

I think he will come back if we up his salary to say 65% of the Royals payroll. We got to have Sweeny or we will lose 12 road games in a row.

sedated · 05-04-2006, 02:11 PM

He could just give back all the money that he stole

RP_McMurphy · 05-04-2006, 02:20 PM

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.

DJJasonp · 05-04-2006, 02:21 PM

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

Reerun_KC · 05-04-2006, 02:22 PM

5 years to late. Damn he sure stuck it to KC and the Royals. What losers!!

StcChief · 05-04-2006, 02:36 PM

Glass won't have to use the I can't afford him speech now.

Cochise · 05-04-2006, 02:42 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.

You ever played baseball through a bulging disk? Soft my ass

05-04-2006, 10:15 AM
KingPriest2 Super Grover Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $4790	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.”
Posts: 5,433

05-04-2006, 11:27 AM	#2
burt Inner Circle, Master at Arms Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Casino cash: $4201160	so __________________ Was 294.4 lbs. is 223 lbs. 3 to go, IF I stop there!!!. Thinking 200!
Posts: 8,784

05-04-2006, 11:32 AM	#3
alpha_omega MVP Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Liberty Casino cash: $141827	Buh-Bye!
Posts: 5,377

05-04-2006, 11:38 AM	#4
CoMoChief The Revolution Has Begun Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $123568	ALRIGHT!!!!!!!! CYA LATER DICKHEAD!!!! __________________ 2013 Adopt-A-Chief: Eric Berry #29
Posts: 28,327

05-04-2006, 12:47 PM	#5
KCChiefsFan88 Wanted: A Franchise QB Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $32816	Should have traded him 2 years ago when he still had some value
Posts: 6,950

05-04-2006, 01:22 PM	#6
58-4ever The Collective Unconscious Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The OP Casino cash: $1047357	good. Sweeney is a pussy. I find it hard to root for a guy when the strongest word to express his anger is "Dangit!" Don't let the door hit you in your pussy ass mikey. __________________ Deaf and blind and dumb and born to follow...
Posts: 6,501

05-04-2006, 01:48 PM	#9
Halfcan King of Noobs. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Independence, Missouri Casino cash: $36314	I think he will come back if we up his salary to say 65% of the Royals payroll. We got to have Sweeny or we will lose 12 road games in a row.
Posts: 20,746

05-04-2006, 02:20 PM	#11
RP_McMurphy Starter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Excelsior Springs, Mo Casino cash: $1660	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. __________________ United States Navy December 3rd, 1986- December 31st, 2006 USS Brumby (FF-1044) June 87- March 89 USS Nicholson (DD-982) May 89-February 90 USS Elmer Montgomery (FF-1082) February 90-February 92 Naval War College April 92-July 95 USS Gettysburg (CG-64) October 95- January 00 Fleet Training Center Mayport January 00-October 00 USS Nassau (LHA-4) October 00-October 02 Naval Reserve Center Kansas City January 03- January 06 USNS Pecos (T-AO 197) February 06- December 06
Posts: 630

05-04-2006, 02:21 PM	#12
DJJasonp My work speaks for itself!!! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $908450	I thought he retired 3 years ago...... __________________ Sex Panther - Said to work 60% of the time....every time!
Posts: 3,377

05-04-2006, 02:22 PM	#13
Reerun_KC Rock Chalk Jayhawks! KU!!! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kansas Jayhawks Casino cash: $2423887	5 years to late. Damn he sure stuck it to KC and the Royals. What losers!!
Posts: 40,916

05-04-2006, 02:36 PM	#14
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $1024708	Glass won't have to use the I can't afford him speech now. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
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