Sweeney threw and batted right-handed, stood 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) (185 cm) tall and weighed 180 pounds (82 kg) in his playing days.

On May 11, 1936, Sweeney succeeded former Philadelphia Athletics star infielder Max Bishop as playing manager of the Portland Beavers, and promptly led them to the 1936 PCL championship.

He then returned to the American League for two seasons, working as a coach for the Tigers under manager Steve O'Neill (1947–48).

However, on April 18, only six games into the 1957 campaign, Sweeney was stricken with a perforated ulcer in San Diego, where his club was playing.

[2] Bill Sweeney's career record as a manager in the PCL was 1,471 victories and 1,452 defeats (.503) with one championship over all or parts of 18 seasons.