MLB.com: Sweeney hopes to play one more year

"He said, 'When your playing days are done, we'd love to have you as part of the Kansas City Royals,'" Sweeney said. "But he said, 'I'm not ready to have that conversation yet' and I said, 'Neither am I.'"

10 months ago RoyalsRetro 18 comments 0 recs |

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Sweeney, a sad reality of MLB

he probably earned every penny of the money he was paid, he just had the misfortune of earning it before it was actually paid, and thus his legacy will be forever tarnished.

We always did feel the same, We just saw it from a different point of view, Tangled up in blue.
-Bob Dylan

by Royal Kingdom on Jan 7, 2009 11:09 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Perfectly well put

I’m thinking of doing a future post on driveline on how players are rarely paid what they’re worth at the actual time they’re “earning” that money — they’re almost always grossly underpaid before FA, then (if they’re good) overpaid when they hit FA.

Raul Ibanez weirdly had something like this happen in his 30s

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by devil_fingers on Jan 7, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I find this sad

I know he loves the game, but it feels kind of pathetic and sad when a player’s time is done and he just refuses to let it go. I hope to hell he doesn’t sign a minor league contract with someone. He really needs to become a hitting coach/instructor somewhere.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jan 7, 2009 11:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Someone needs to leave a message on his answering machine

“Mike…this is God. Its time to hang em up.”

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jan 7, 2009 11:47 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Very well done

And that would work perfectly.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jan 7, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

God: "Don't be Brett Favre"

I AM intangible!

by kabrink on Jan 7, 2009 8:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup

I just hope Sweeney doesn’t come on full-time with the Royals, for the same reason Frank White should never, ever be the manager

See, Trammell, Alan, tenure in Detroit

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by devil_fingers on Jan 7, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't get it

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jan 7, 2009 12:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I see Trammell as a HOFer, even if the voters don’t. He should definitely be a Tigers HOFer (if they have something like that).

Well, he managed there during some shitty years and got fired. That can’t help the relationship between the great former player and his team, no matter who’s fault it is.

Most managers, no matter how good they are (or, more importantly, are perceived to be), are going to get fired. Even Joe Torre didn’t leave on good terms with ownership.

I’m sure the same goes for coaches. I don’t know if Frank White would be a good manager, but does anyone else want to have their memories of him tarnished after the Royals are a sub.-500 team during his 4-year tenure ending with him getting canned? Looks like it won’t happen.

More germane to the topic, does anyone want to see Mike Sweeney turn into the next Mike Barnett because it’s his fault Eric Hosmer doesn’t hit 40 jacks right out of the gate (or whatever thing the fans decide to blame on him)?

Just an impression I get. I think Sweeney coming back as an instructor in ST or in a PR role like Brett’s or something is a great idea. I just like him too much to want to see him stuck in the coaching carousel.

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by devil_fingers on Jan 7, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Team chaplain!

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by RoyalsRetro on Jan 7, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

of course, that means Banny would get cut

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by devil_fingers on Jan 7, 2009 1:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok, I get it

I don’t know that he’s ready to be a major league hitting coach right away. Perhaps he is; I don’t know. But I wouldn’t hesitate to get him into the organization as either a roving hitting instructor or as a minor league hitting coach. I certainly wouldn’t mind him eventually becoming the major league hitting coach. His performance in that role wouldn’t tarnish my opinion of him, regardless. Sure some idiot fans would like him less if the major league team didn’t hit well “under his coaching.” So be it. Hell some fans don’t like him because he insulted them by getting injured too much, or faking injuries, or not working hard enough to get back onto the field or similar fevered fantasies and bullshit the dreamt up because they were upset that he wasn’t playing.

I just think he might make a good hitting coach for the following reasons: 1) he was a good major league hitter with a good approach, which included plate discipline, drawing walks, making good contact and hitting for power. 2) he’s a great clubhouse guy. He gets along with everyone and is a positive presence in the clubhouse and dugout. While I think this kind of thing is overrated for players, I think it is somewhat more important for coaches. 3) He speaks Spanish. A few years ago, I read in a spring puff piece in the Star that Sweeney started learning Spanish so he could talk with everyone on the team. I think that ability has a certain obvious utility for a coach, but it also says something particularly good about Sweeney. He wants to get along with everyone, be able to talk to everyone and work with everyone. That seems like a good mindset for a coach.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jan 7, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Agreed on all fronts.

I wouldn’t put it past him to learn Japanese too.

WTF, self?

by minda33 on Jan 7, 2009 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sweendog

i think the best position for him might be like what Joe Randa does. helps out in ST and does some roving work in the minors.

i dunno is he would even want to be a full time coach. seems like way to much of a family man. but giving back in a smaller role might interest him though.

i might be way wrong too.

Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.

by doublestix on Jan 8, 2009 1:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs