Mike Sweeney signs a special one-day contract to retire as Kansas City Royals’ player – MLB Update
Mike Sweeney’s day could not have been any better. The veteran star, that played most of his games for the Kansas City Royals, marked Friday as one of the most special days in his career. The former player took the opportunity to announce his retirement
and end an enticing saga that led him to this point.
"It's a dream come true for me to retire as a Royal," Sweeney said.
The 37-year-old was given an official farewell in the Spring Training venue of d**k Howser Field in Surprise, Arizona. The player was not going to sign a Major League deal, as his one day tenure with the club meant he would have to sign a Minor League contract
instead.
"I spent 17 years here, and I wanted my last day in a Major League uniform to be Royal blue," he told a crowd of players, family and staff.
The player’s wife, Shara and sons Donovan and Michael with daughter McKara were also present at the sending off that saw Sweeney leaving, happy. The hard hitter was presented with a fly-fishing rod and a blue rocking chair by General Manager Dayton Moore
and Manager Ned Yost. The Royals officially announced that the retiring veteran would return on Opening Day to throw a ceremonial pitch in the club’s encounter with the Los Angeles Angels.
Sweeney will also take out the line card for the Friday Cactus League fixture between the Royals and the San Francisco Giants. Yost joked that he might use the player in some other scheme as well.
"Ned told me when I walked in his office, 'You look pretty good, you look like you've been working out. I'd like to see you hit. Maybe we'll keep you around,'" Sweeney said.
The veteran plans to stay with the organization in another role.
"I think I'll be joining the organization in some capacity," he said. "My role has yet to be identified but it's something that's going to evolve."
Sweeny will leave a legacy at the club that will be hard to replicate. The immense contribution left by the player will hardly be compensated by any measure in the hearts of most of the fans.
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