Mike Sweeney elected to Royals Hall of Fame

The Royals have announced that long-time slugger Mike Sweeney has been elected to the Royals Hall of Fame, becoming the 26th member to be inducted. Sweeney spent thirteen seasons in Kansas City and was a five-time All-Star. He hit .299/.369/.492 in 1,298 games with 1,398 hits and 197 home runs. He is second in franchise history in home runs, fifth in RBI, fourth in batting average, second in slugging percentage, and eighth in WAR among position players. From his peak from 1999-2003, Mike Sweeney posted a 132 OPS+, the thirteenth best in the league over that time. His best season came in 2000 when he hit .333/.407/.523 with 29 HR 144 RBI and 4.3 rWAR. Sweeney was originally a tenth round pick by the Royals in 1991 out of Ontario High School in California.

Sweeney was criticized for not being oft-injured and some mocked his commitment to his religious beliefs, but he was a legitimately terrific hitter for a number of years, and for many seasons, the only real reason to come out to Kauffman Stadium. He was also committed to the Kansas City community with numerous tales of his charitable endeavors. An induction to the Royals Hall of Fame is simply a no-brainer.

Mike Sweeney will be honored in a ceremony at Kauffman Stadium, with the date yet to be determined.