CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Blue Rocks retire Sweeney's number 33

Published on June 20, 2004 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


WILMINGTON, DE – The Wilmington Blue Rocks retired Mike Sweeney's uniform number 33 in a ceremony today at Frawley Stadium. A crowd of about 200 fans, media members and those close with Sweeney turned out to honor the 1995 Carolina League All-Star. Sweeney became just the second Wilmington player ever to have his number retired, joining former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Robin Roberts, and the first for the modern-day Blue Rocks.

A standout player and Carolina League All-Star for Wilmington, Sweeney led the Blue Rocks in average, homers and walks during the 1995 season. In 99 games, Sweeney hit .310 with 18 homers, 53 RBI, 23 doubles, 61 runs scored and drew 60 walks.

"When I first got the call about this request, it took me a half-second to say yes, that I would be honored to accept this award," said Sweeney. "To me, when I think of Wilmington, sure I think of the fun times I had here at Frawley Stadium. But beyond the baseball, I think of some things that really have touched my heart. For all of the people that mean the world to me here in Wilmington, know that you're remembered. Wilmington will always be right here with me."

The event also included a check presentation from the Blue Rocks of $2,500 made out to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, one of the first-baseman's many charities.

The Orange, Calif. native was named the Carolina League's seventh-best prospect in 1995 by Baseball America after leading the CL in hitting and slugging (.548) and ranking second in on-base percentage (.424).

Sweeney made his major league debut on September 18 of the same year with the Kansas City Royals. He collected his first big-league hit on the final day of the regular season, a pitch-hit single against Cleveland's Paul Assenmacher.

"I've seen Mike change from a tall, skinny high-school kid into the mature, spiritually gifted man he is today," said John Mizerock, Sweeney's former manager and current third-base coach for the Kansas City Royals. "I feel honored and blessed to share a day like this with Mike."

Sweeney has established himself among baseball's elite first basemen, earning American League All-Star nods in the last four straight seasons.

Among Sweeney's many accomplishments on the major league level:

- Has batted over .300 in four of the last five seasons
- Ranks among the Royals' all-time leaders in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.307, 1st), slugging percentage (.497, 2nd), on-base percentage (.381, 2nd), RBI (604, 5th), doubles (205, 6th), hits (1,014 7th), homers (139, 6th) and runs (532, 7th)
- Set a team record and tied the American League record by collecting an RBI in 13 straight games from June 23-July 4, 1999
- In 2000 he became the first American League player to hit at least .330 with 200 hits and 140 RBI since Al Rosen in 1953 with Cleveland
- Posted a 25-game hitting streak from July 18-Aug. 13, 1999, the third longest single-season hitting streak in club history

"To me, Mike Sweeney is the ultimate American role-model," said Matt Minker, president of the Wilmington Blue Rocks. "We honor Mike here today because he's a great baseball player. But of equal importance, we honor Mike Sweeney because of who he is inside. Baseball history will validate Mike Sweeney, his numbers speak for themselves. But today, there's more than just baseball history, there's the man standing here, Mike Sweeney himself."

The 30-year-old joins Robin Roberts and his No. 36 as the only two numbers to be officially retired by the Blue Rocks franchise. Roberts, who played with the original Blue Rocks in 1948, had his number retired at the 1998 Carolina League All-Star Game on June 23, when Wilmington hosted the contest.

While their numbers are not officially retired by the Blue Rocks, Wilmington players also do not wear the numbers 5, 10 or 20 in honor of former Royals George Brett, Dick Howser and Frank White. The Rocks also observe baseball's universal retiring of Jackie Robinson's No. 42.

The Kansas City Royals are in the Wilmington region to play the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park for a three-game series the weekend of June 18-20. It marks the first time the Royals have played the Phillies in a regular-season game and it's the first meeting between the two clubs since Game Six of the 1980 World Series at Veterans Stadium.

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Carolina League Stories from June 20, 2004


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