Michael John Sweeney (born July 22, 1973) is an American former Major League Baseball designated hitter and first baseman.

[1] Sweeney hit his first major league home run, off Seattle Mariners' pitcher Jamie Moyer, on August 12, 1996.

Sweeney missed hitting for the cycle by approximately 40 feet, when he retreated to second base on what appeared to be a sure triple in the eighth inning with the Kansas City Royals leading by a 12-6 score.

He caught 91 games, the most of his major league career,[6] serving as the regular starter after Macfarlane was traded midseason.

When Giambi showed reluctance, they gave the job to Sweeney, who responded by posting the highest fielding percentage by a regular first baseman in more than 20 years.

In June 2001, Sweeney hit .392 with 11 home runs and 29 RBI with a .794 slugging percentage and was named the American League Player of the Month for the only time in his career.

Sweeney had his first career ejection against the Detroit Tigers on August 10 after charging pitcher Jeff Weaver in the sixth inning.

On August 14, 2002, he became the fifth Royal in club history to record a straight steal of home and the first since Fred Patek versus Minnesota on June 18, 1977, with a stolen base off the New York Yankees' Andy Pettitte.

His stolen base came on a 1-2 count with left-hander Aaron Guiel at the plate and gave the Royals a 2–1 lead, but KC lost the game, 3–2, in 14 innings.

After returning from the disabled list on August 8, Sweeney hit .293 with six homers and 26 RBI, but missed another five games with a sore side.

[9] On February 10, 2008, Sweeney signed a minor league contract, with an invitation to spring training, with the Oakland Athletics.

On May 3, 2009, Sweeney hit his first home run as a Mariner and 200th of his career in the 4th inning at Safeco Field against the Oakland Athletics.

[14] On August 6, in a return to Kansas City, Sweeney hit his 100th home run in Kauffman Stadium in an 8-2 loss to the Royals.

[17] On March 30 the Mariners placed reserve first baseman/corner outfielder Ryan Garko on waivers, clearing room on the 25-man roster for Sweeney.

Sweeney was not expected to make the team at the start of spring training but hit over .500 in exhibition games to beat out Garko.

[18] On August 4, Sweeney was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies to replace injured first baseman Ryan Howard for a player to be named later and/or cash considerations.

On Tuesday, May 26, 2015, Mike Sweeney was inducted into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame, along with former Marlins manager Jack McKeon, broadcaster Dave O'Brien, New York Mets p.r.

executive Shannon Forde, and Bill Murray, the comedic actor and owner of several minor league baseball teams.

On September 29, 2007, the day before his final game, Sweeney took out a full page ad in the sports section of The Kansas City Star.

[22] The following day, September 30, Sweeney took the field against the Cleveland Indians in front of 19,104 fans at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

After leaving the Royals, Sweeney ended up wearing #5 for the rest of his career with the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia Phillies.

[23] Sweeney's response to receiving the new job: "The only thing I was unable to accomplish during my playing days was to bring October baseball back to Kansas City.

"[24] Sweeney settled into the role quite quickly, attending the Royals' spring training in Surprise, Arizona as a guest instructor that same month.

[11] Due to fires in San Diego and the surrounding areas, Sweeney's family was forced to evacuate their home in Rancho Santa Fe and stay with his parents, who live in Ontario, California.

The award is named for Ewing Kauffman, founder of the Royals and the team for which Sweeney played 13 years and served as captain.

On June 13, 2007, Mike and his wife Shara hosted the Lunch for Life[30] and raised $60,000 for the crisis pregnancy centers throughout Kansas City.

[31] Sweeney had "Lose My Soul" by Toby Mac played over the stadium sound system at Citizens Bank Park when he came up to bat.