http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/players/mike_sweeney/616 Recent articles about Mike Sweeney en-us Several high profile hitters have been slowed by back injuries this season. The Yankees’ Kevin Youkilis is on the disabled list with a sprained back for the third time in his career. Shane Victorino missed eight games from late April to early May because of a bad back. Jose Bautista missed about a week of play with back spasms. When back problems occur to hitters, fans should not be surprised to see a marked loss of future production from those players. I have always considered back injuries to be one of the worst injuries a position player can have. The fear probably stems from following Mike Sweeney when he was with the Royals. He continued the tradition with the Mariners, where he went on the DL for back injuries twice. In all, Sweeney landed on the DL seven times for back injuries. To figure out the exact effects of back injuries, I went back and compared the players’ stats of the season before the injury, year of the injury and the next season. One item to remember when lookin... Mon, 06 May 2013 10:30:15 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/busted_batters_backs_are_bad/13558805 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/busted_batters_backs_are_bad/13558805 Busted Batters’ Backs Are Bad http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/busted_batters_backs_are_bad/13558805 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png #bbpBox_328612339702177792 a { text-decoration:none; color:#0084B4; }#bbpBox_328612339702177792 a:hover { text-decoration:underline; }We might be watching a #Royals team consisting of 2 of the best 5 players to ever don the blue and white for KCApril 28, 2013 2:51 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite@PCBearcatRoss Martin  The tweet above was referencing Billy Butler and Alex Gordon, and more specifically their climb up the Kansas City Royals’ historical hierarchy. It led, as most thought-provoking tweets do, to a lengthy discussion about who are the ten best Royals ever, a debate which has no concrete resolution. While that discussion in itself can be fascinating, what I want to focus on today is whether Butler and Gordon really are on pace to join the all-time Royals greats, and what kind of production they’ll need to get there. Maybe it’s because I so thoroughly enjoyed his barbecue sauce last night, but I’d like to start with Butler. In Royals history there are two very good comps for... Thu, 02 May 2013 10:27:32 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/are_butler_and_gordon_nearing_royalty/13534994 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/are_butler_and_gordon_nearing_royalty/13534994 Are Butler and Gordon Nearing Royalty? http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/are_butler_and_gordon_nearing_royalty/13534994 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/1/d168683bf9c728e4394557a4ba6245180358c97b/mini/MLB_JUN_21_3253.jpg KANSAS CITY, Mo. Former Royals slugger Mike Sweeney says that while he loved his 13 years with the team, he believes he ultimately failed during his time in Kansas City. He failed the fans, the organization and team owner David Glass, he said. "The ultimate goal each year is to get to the playoffs and win the World Series," Sweeney told FOXSportsKasnasCity.com. "And we didn't do that while I was in Kansas City. "So, in that regard, I failed at my job. My obligation as a player was to get us to the post-season and I failed at that. That's why I feel my time with the Royals was unfulfilled." Sweeney, who recently was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, said, however, that he doesn't know what more he could have done. "I busted my butt all the time," he said. "I gave 100 percent. I know I got injured a lot but I couldn't do anything to change that unfortunately. I wish I could have. But I have no regrets about my effort. "I just wish Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:13:32 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/former_royal_sweeney_i_failed_the_royals/13005997 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/former_royal_sweeney_i_failed_the_royals/13005997 Former Royal Sweeney: I failed the Royals http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/former_royal_sweeney_i_failed_the_royals/13005997 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png As it becomes more and more apparent that Billy Butler will not be breaking the most embarrassing record in Kansas City Royals history I thought it would be a good time to look at the opposite side of the spectrum. More specifically, if Steve Balboni’s 36 home runs are the most embarrassing, then what single season record is the greatest in Royals history? Greatest can mean a lot of things, and I’m talking about all of them; least likely to be broken, most impressive in its time, and most indicative of a great season. I know a lot of you have probably already thought that this has to end with .390, so instead, I’m going to start there. The Record: George Brett’s .390 batting average in 1980 Likelihood of being broken: Highly unlikely. Ichiro is the only hitter in the major leagues to come within 20 points of .390 in the last ten years and Tony Gwynn (.394) is the only player to top .390 since Brett did 32 years ago. How impressive was it in its time: Brett’s .390 was the best batt... Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:58:30 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/is_390_the_greatest_royals_record/11674708 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/is_390_the_greatest_royals_record/11674708 Is .390 the greatest Royals record? http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/is_390_the_greatest_royals_record/11674708 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/2/a2425fd6edfecfe26db6a631d21a01bda836d4dd/mini/Blue_Jays_vs_2026.jpg If you have ever seen the movie The Princess Bride, consider yourself lucky.  Within the movie, there is a scene in which the characters Vizzini and Westley (the hero) engage in a battle of wits where Westley must choose to drink from two glasses of wine: one glass of wine is poisoned with iocane powder; and one is not.  The the loser drinks the one with the poison and dies.  In that scene, Vizzini  (thinking he has outsmarted Westley and chosen the glass of wine without poison) tells Westley he has "fallen victim to one of the classic blunders."  The first of the "classic blunders" is to never get involved in a land war in Asia.  Another is to never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line.  In the end, Vizzini chooses a glass that has poison in it (they both had the poison) and dies. So what does this have to do with the Kansas City Royals?  Unfortunately, a lot. A "classic blunder" is a mistake having dire consequences which is made desp... Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:21:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/the_2012_kansas_city_royals_and_lessons_from_the_princess_bride/11208481 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/the_2012_kansas_city_royals_and_lessons_from_the_princess_bride/11208481 The 2012 Kansas City Royals and lessons from “The Princess Bride” http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/the_2012_kansas_city_royals_and_lessons_from_the_princess_bride/11208481 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The big boys are coming to our house this year, but that doesn’t mean we’ll be allowed to play with them. The Royals host the All Star Game this year, and it is a huge event for Kansas City. But the hopes of KC fans that their team would be well represented at home were disappointed. Ever since the announcement was made that KC would be home to the 2012 All Star Game, the question has been would the Royals have more than one player named to the team? But a 12-game losing streak, a sluggish start by a few young stars, and injuries conspired to limit the Royals to just one representative. Billy Butler rightfully was named the Royals’ rep. And he’ll hobnob with baseball royalty at our very own Kauffman Stadium in what is a great exposure of Kansas City. It will be a great economic and cultural event for the city. But it won’t do much for healing the wounds Royals have taken from the mid-summer classic over the past decade. Three letters describe the slight baseball has dealt the Royal... Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:37:42 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/kansas_city_and_the_all_star_dnp_tradition/11184091 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/kansas_city_and_the_all_star_dnp_tradition/11184091 Kansas City and the All Star “DNP” Tradition http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/kansas_city_and_the_all_star_dnp_tradition/11184091 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MLB ALL-STAR WEEK PROJECTS TO BENEFIT KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY AND BEYOND ARE MOST EXTENSIVE IN MIDSUMMER CLASSIC HISTORY Initiatives Include Habitat for Humanity Home Builds in Communities Devastated by Tornadoes And Renovations to Baseball/Softball Fields, Veteran and Youth Facilities   Approximately $4 Million Benefits Local and National Organizations Leading up to the 83rd MLB All-Star Game, Major League Baseball and the Kansas City Royals will unveil the most extensive lasting legacy endeavor in MLB All-Star Week history through projects that benefit theKansas City community and beyond. The efforts feature: Habitat for Humanity home builds in partnership with families impacted by tornadoes; renovations to youth baseball/softball fields, and veteran and youth facilities; support for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; support for youth outreach programs; scholarships for college-bound students; raising funds and awareness for cancer organizations; and highlighting the importance of ... Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:31:01 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/all_star_week_projects_to_benefit_kc_community/11158661 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/all_star_week_projects_to_benefit_kc_community/11158661 All Star Week Projects To Benefit KC Community http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/all_star_week_projects_to_benefit_kc_community/11158661 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Royals will lend some hometown flavor to the Legends & Celebrity Softball Game during All-Star Weekend at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett, Bo Jackson and Mike Sweeney are among the former Royals players on the roster for the six-inning game, which is scheduled for July 8. The All-Star Game takes place July 10. Ernie Banks, Joe Carter, Andre Dawson, Rollie Fingers and Ricky Henderson are also scheduled to participate in the game, along with Ozzie Smith, Mike Piazza and Dave Winfield. The softball game follows the Futures Game on Sunday of All-Star weekend, and will air on ESPN after the Home Run Derby the following night. Tue, 22 May 2012 15:46:51 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_to_flavor_legends_celebrity_softball_game/10849919 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_to_flavor_legends_celebrity_softball_game/10849919 Royals to flavor Legends & Celebrity Softball Game http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/royals_to_flavor_legends_celebrity_softball_game/10849919 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Mike Sweeney's stint in Philadelphia was brief, but he quickly became a fan favorite and was the kind of player you could really pull for. With his positive attitude and his willingness to share hugs with everyone who did something well, Sweeney was certainly a guy that fit well in any clubhouse he suited up in. Now Sweeney will be suiting up ina  different way. According to Sports Media Journal, MLB Network has added Sweeney to their cast as an analyst. The five-time all-star made his network debut Wednesday night on MLB Tonight. Sweeney joins Larry Bowa, Ron Gant, Jim Kaat, Dan Plesac, and Mitch Williams to be the sixth former Phillies player to be on the MLB Network staff. Former Comcast Sportsnet member Matt Yallof is also on the network's staff. Yallof was a common host of Phillies Post Game Live on Comcast Network when he worked in Philadelphia. Breaking in to the big leagues in 1995 with the Kansas City Royals, Sweeney spent his entire professional career waiting f... Thu, 29 Mar 2012 05:43:43 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mlb_network_adds_former_phillie_mike_sweeney_to_lineup/10426432 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mlb_network_adds_former_phillie_mike_sweeney_to_lineup/10426432 MLB Network adds former Phillie Mike Sweeney to lineup http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mlb_network_adds_former_phillie_mike_sweeney_to_lineup/10426432 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/b/0b5fd43466f4b2aa203d0481cbec67bea3f814b2/mini/Diamondbacks_vs_Mariners_5a6e.jpg I can remember it like it was yesterday, August 4, 2009. The Mariners were in town and I was taking my then 8 year old son and his friend to a ballgame for his birthday. We got there early so we could get all of the Little K events out of the way, we walked the path just under the Jumbotron so we could see just how jumbo it was, we got a couple of pops, some nachos, and, after circling the stadium found our seats well down the third base side in the lower level. The Royals scored 5 in the first, including a bomb from Billy Butler and the boys could not have been much happier. Then came the 4th inning. Although Bruce Chen had held the Mariners scoreless through 3, he wasn’t exactly lights out. He’d given up 3 singles, thrown a wild pitch and had a couple of warning track fly balls scare him. In the 4th it finally caught up with him when one Michael Sweeney hit a majestic shot over the wall in left field. Now, let me back up. I had not noticed it so much the first time Sweeney came u... Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:00:04 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/the_embattled_hero/10014658 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/the_embattled_hero/10014658 The Embattled Hero http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/the_embattled_hero/10014658 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/1/513190ce22dd089754e9f590ed58b58d57fe9c88/mini/Seattle_Mariners_Photo_747c.jpg KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Depending on which poll you believe, Denver quarterback Tim Tebow is the most popular athlete in sports today, the most over-rated athlete in sports today, the most polarizing athlete in sports today, the most... well, the list goes on and on. But you don't need a poll to recognize this: Mention the name Tim Tebow and almost everyone, sports fan or not, has an opinion. The reason Tebow has captured our fascination so profoundly seems quite obvious: Because Tebow wears his Christian faith so openly on his sleeve, he has stirred up a timeless argument in America: What exactly is the appropriate role of religion in sports? If anyone knows a thing or two about this debate it is former Royals slugger Mike Sweeney, a devout Christian who never hid his faith during his 13 seasons in Kansas City. "To be honest, I applaud Tim," Sweeney told me by phone. "I think what he is doing shows a lot of courage. It's easy to profess your faith when everything is going well. But he h Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:32:35 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sweeney_to_tebow_lead_by_example/9474170 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sweeney_to_tebow_lead_by_example/9474170 Sweeney to Tebow: 'lead by example' http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/sweeney_to_tebow_lead_by_example/9474170 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/1/513190ce22dd089754e9f590ed58b58d57fe9c88/mini/Seattle_Mariners_Photo_747c.jpg KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Depending on which poll you believe, Denver quarterback Tim Tebow is the most popular athlete in sports today, the most over-rated athlete in sports today, the most polarizing athlete in sports today, the most... well, the list goes on and on. But you don't need a poll to recognize this: Mention the name Tim Tebow and almost everyone, sports fan or not, has an opinion. The reason Tebow has captured our fascination so profoundly seems quite obvious: Because Tebow wears his Christian faith so openly on his sleeve, he has stirred up a timeless argument in America: What exactly is the appropriate role of religion in sports? If anyone knows a thing or two about this debate it is former Royals slugger Mike Sweeney, a devout Christian who never hid his faith during his 13 seasons in Kansas City. "To be honest, I applaud Tim," Sweeney told me by phone. "I think what he is doing shows a lot of courage. It's easy to profess your faith when everything is going well. But he h Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:32:35 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sweeney_to_tebow_lead_by_example/9474137 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sweeney_to_tebow_lead_by_example/9474137 Sweeney to Tebow: 'lead by example' http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/sweeney_to_tebow_lead_by_example/9474137 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/1/513190ce22dd089754e9f590ed58b58d57fe9c88/mini/Seattle_Mariners_Photo_747c.jpg In the last 15 years, the Kansas City Royals have put some pretty pathetic teams on the field.  As some time has passed since some of these historically inept Royals teams have come and gone, it is interesting to take a look back at the worst of them all, the 2005 version of the Royals. Having the benefit of perspective, it really is astonishing to think that anyone in the organization expected that team to do anything other than suck really bad. The 2005 Royals were entering the season coming off of a 104 loss season, their second 100 loss season in 3 years.  And as hard as it is to believe now, up to that point, those were the Royals’ only 100 loss seasons in franchise history.  Little did anyone know, that was just the beginning of a stretch of some of the most disgracefully inept (borderline insulting) brand of baseball anyone would ever witness.  In order to fully appreciate the level of stink that graced Kauffman Stadium 81 times in the summer of 2005, we must first take a qu... Tue, 03 Jan 2012 07:00:18 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/a_look_back_at_the_worst_royals_team_of_all_time/9124171 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/a_look_back_at_the_worst_royals_team_of_all_time/9124171 A Look Back At The Worst Royals Team Of All Time http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/a_look_back_at_the_worst_royals_team_of_all_time/9124171 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Mike Sweeney and George Brett plan to be teammates and coaches in next year's Royals Alumni Fantasy Camp at Surprise, Ariz. The Jan. 30- Feb. 3 event will be held at the Royals' training facility, and openings are still available. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:15:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_fantasy_camp_to_feature_brett_sweeney/7711891 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_fantasy_camp_to_feature_brett_sweeney/7711891 Royals Fantasy Camp to feature Brett, Sweeney http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/royals_fantasy_camp_to_feature_brett_sweeney/7711891 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/1/513190ce22dd089754e9f590ed58b58d57fe9c88/mini/Seattle_Mariners_Photo_747c.jpg