Mark Sweeney
Encyclopedia
Mark Patrick Sweeney is a former first baseman
in Major League Baseball
. He is best known for his skill as a pinch hitter
, where he ranks second in career pinch hits with 175 and first in career pinch hit runs batted in with 102.
in Holliston, Massachusetts
and was a student and a letterman in football
and baseball
. In baseball, he helped lead his team to the 1986 Massachusetts State Championship.
for the University of Maine
in Orono
. There he decided to play baseball full-time. He went on to become a Golden Spikes Finalist
, playing outfield, and breaking many of the school's offensive records. As a senior he hit
.384 with 23 home run
s, 80 RBI
and 22 stolen base
s in 65 games.
in the 9th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft
. He made his professional debut in with the Boise Hawks
in Single-A, batting .282 in 70 games. With the Angels organization he played for the Quad City Bandits , Palm Springs Angels
, Midland Angels (1993-) and Vancouver Canadians
(1994-). On July 8, 1995, he was traded by the Angels to the St. Louis Cardinals
for John Habyan
. After playing in 22 games for the Triple-A Louisville Redbirds his contract was purchased by the Cards on August 4.
. He was hitless in four at-bats on his debut. He collected his first major league hit
the next day against Cubs starter
Jim Bullinger
. He hit his first home run on August 10 against the Los Angeles Dodgers
' Hideo Nomo
.
He remained with the Cards until when he was traded to the San Diego Padres
, along with Danny Jackson
and Rich Batchelor
, for Fernando Valenzuela
, Phil Plantier
and Scott Livingstone
. He went 2 for 3 as a pinch hitter for the Padres in the 1998 World Series
against the New York Yankees
, making the last out of the Series by grounding out.
After the season, he was traded by the Padres, along with Greg Vaughn
, to the Cincinnati Reds
for Josh Harris, Reggie Sanders
, and Damian Jackson
.
Sweeney spent one season with the Reds organization, much of which was spent with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
. The Reds traded him on January 14, , to the Milwaukee Brewers
, along with Gene Altman, for Alex Ochoa
. He spent the next two seasons with the Brewers shuttling between the Majors and Triple-A while battling through an assortment of injuries and trips to the disabled list
.
In , he was traded by the Brewers with Lou Collier
, Jeromy Burnitz
, Jeff D'Amico
, and cash to the New York Mets
for Glendon Rusch
, Lenny Harris
, and Alex Ochoa
. He failed to make the Mets roster and was released. The San Diego Padres
signed him as a free agent
a few days later. Had a poor season with the Padres, hitting just .169 in 48 games.
Sweeney spent and with the Colorado Rockies
, with the Padres, - with the San Francisco Giants
and 2007 and with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He has played first base, outfield
, and designated hitter
. In 1,120 career games, he is a lifetime .260 hitter, with 42 home runs, 245 runs batted in, and 16 stolen bases.
According to the New York Daily News in a story that broke in January 2007, Barry Bonds
blamed a positive amphetamine
test result during the 2006 season on a substance he took from Sweeney's locker. Sweeney's agent denied the claim that Bonds had gotten such a substance from Sweeney. Bonds would later clear Sweeney of any involvement in his positive amphetamine test.
On July 27, 2007, against the Florida Marlins
, he moved into a tie for 2nd place (151 hits) on the all-time pinch hits list with Manny Mota
with a pinch hit single
. On July 29, 2007, he moved into sole possession of 2nd place behind Lenny Harris on the all-time pinch hits list with a game-tying, pinch hit double to deep right field in the 9th inning that scored Dave Roberts.
On August 9, 2007, Sweeney was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
for second baseman
Travis Denker
. The trade was the first between the Giants and the Dodgers since .
He remained with the Dodgers, primarily as a pinch hitter through the 2008 season. Unable to find a playing position as a free agent for 2009, Sweeney officially announced his retirement on March 6, 2009. He subsequently rejoined the Dodgers organization as an assistant coach.
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He is best known for his skill as a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
, where he ranks second in career pinch hits with 175 and first in career pinch hit runs batted in with 102.
High school years
Sweeney attended Holliston High SchoolHolliston High School
Holliston High School is the public secondary school serving Holliston, Massachusetts. As of 2010, the school enrolled 854 students. The current principal is Michael Cournoyer. Holliston has some of the brightest students and faculty in the state of Massachusetts...
in Holliston, Massachusetts
Holliston, Massachusetts
Holliston is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States in the Greater Boston area. The population was 13,547 at the 2010 census. It is part of the region known as MetroWest. Holliston is the only town in Middlesex County that borders both Norfolk and Worcester...
and was a student and a letterman in football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. In baseball, he helped lead his team to the 1986 Massachusetts State Championship.
College years
Sweeney was signed to play quarterbackQuarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the University of Maine
University of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
in Orono
Orono, Maine
Orono is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. It was first settled in 1774 and named in honor of Chief Joseph Orono of the Penobscot Nation. It is home to The University of Maine. The population was 10,362 at the 2010 census.- Geography :...
. There he decided to play baseball full-time. He went on to become a Golden Spikes Finalist
Golden Spikes Award
The Golden Spikes Award is awarded annually to the best amateur baseball player. It is awarded by USA Baseball and sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Though the award can be presented to any amateur player, it has always been given to a college baseball player.-Past...
, playing outfield, and breaking many of the school's offensive records. As a senior he hit
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.384 with 23 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 80 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
and 22 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in 65 games.
Minor league career
Sweeney was drafted by the California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
in the 9th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft
1991 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1991 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Other notable players:...
. He made his professional debut in with the Boise Hawks
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks are a minor league baseball team, located in Boise, Idaho. The team is currently a farm team for the Chicago Cubs and play in the Short-Season Class A Northwest League.-History:...
in Single-A, batting .282 in 70 games. With the Angels organization he played for the Quad City Bandits , Palm Springs Angels
Palm Springs Angels
The Palm Springs Angels were a minor league baseball team of the Class A California League from 1986 to 1993 and an affiliate of the California Angels...
, Midland Angels (1993-) and Vancouver Canadians
Vancouver Canadians
The Vancouver Canadians are a minor league baseball team located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadians are the Northwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The C's have previously affiliated with the Oakland Athletics between 2000-2010. They are the only Canadian team in the...
(1994-). On July 8, 1995, he was traded by the Angels to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for John Habyan
John Habyan
John Gabriel Habyan is a former professional baseball player. A right-handed pitcher, Habyan played all or part of twelve seasons in Major League Baseball....
. After playing in 22 games for the Triple-A Louisville Redbirds his contract was purchased by the Cards on August 4.
MLB career
Sweeney made his major league debut on August 4, , as the starting first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. He was hitless in four at-bats on his debut. He collected his first major league hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
the next day against Cubs starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
Jim Bullinger
Jim Bullinger
James Eric Bullinger is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs , Montreal Expos and Seattle Mariners . He batted and threw right-handed. He is the brother of pitcher Kirk Bullinger. Jim Bullinger was converted to a pitcher in the Cubs' farm system,...
. He hit his first home run on August 10 against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
' Hideo Nomo
Hideo Nomo
is a former right-handed pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball from Japan. He achieved early success in Japan, where he played with the Kintetsu Buffaloes from to...
.
He remained with the Cards until when he was traded to the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, along with Danny Jackson
Danny Jackson
Danny Lynn Jackson was a pitcher with a 15-year career from to . He played for the Kansas City Royals of the American League and the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, St...
and Rich Batchelor
Rich Batchelor
Richard Anthony Batchelor , is a retired professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from -. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres. He also pitched for the Yakult Swallows in .-External links:...
, for Fernando Valenzuela
Fernando Valenzuela
Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 1981, the 20-year-old Valenzuela took Los Angeles by storm, winning his first 8 decisions and leading the Dodgers to the World Championship...
, Phil Plantier
Phil Plantier
Phillip Alan Plantier is a former Major League Baseball player who played in the major leagues primarily as an outfielder from -. Plantier is most often remembered for his rookie season performance....
and Scott Livingstone
Scott Livingstone
Scott Louis Livingstone is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1991–98, for the Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals and Montreal Expos....
. He went 2 for 3 as a pinch hitter for the Padres in the 1998 World Series
1998 World Series
The 1998 World Series, the 94th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, matched the New York Yankees against the San Diego Padres . The Yankees swept the Series in four games to capture their second championship in three years, and their 24th overall...
against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, making the last out of the Series by grounding out.
After the season, he was traded by the Padres, along with Greg Vaughn
Greg Vaughn
Gregory Lamont Vaughn is a former Major League Baseball left fielder and right-handed batter who played for the Milwaukee Brewers , San Diego Padres , Cincinnati Reds , Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Colorado Rockies . He was born in Sacramento, California, where he attended Kennedy High School...
, to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Josh Harris, Reggie Sanders
Reggie Sanders
Reginald Laverne Sanders is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed. Sanders was 24 years old when he made his major league debut on August 22, , after being selected in the 7th round of the amateur draft by the Cincinnati Reds...
, and Damian Jackson
Damian Jackson
Damian Jacques Jackson is a major league second baseman who currently plays for the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League. He bats and throws right-handed.-Early life:...
.
Sweeney spent one season with the Reds organization, much of which was spent with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
. The Reds traded him on January 14, , to the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, along with Gene Altman, for Alex Ochoa
Alex Ochoa
Alex Ochoa is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder. He is a Cuban American and is currently an assistant coach for the Boston Red Sox....
. He spent the next two seasons with the Brewers shuttling between the Majors and Triple-A while battling through an assortment of injuries and trips to the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
.
In , he was traded by the Brewers with Lou Collier
Lou Collier
Louis Keith Collier is a former utility player who played in Major League Baseball from through . Collier batted and threw right-handed...
, Jeromy Burnitz
Jeromy Burnitz
Jeromy Neal Burnitz is a former baseball player who was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played with the New York Mets , Cleveland Indians , Milwaukee Brewers , Los Angeles Dodgers , Colorado Rockies , Chicago Cubs , and Pittsburgh Pirates .Burnitz played his...
, Jeff D'Amico
Jeff D'Amico
Jeffrey Charles D'Amico is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from to .D'Amico, sometimes nicknamed "Big Daddy", was a starting pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cleveland Indians.His career record was 45 wins, 52 losses, 498 strikeouts and a...
, and cash to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for Glendon Rusch
Glendon Rusch
Glendon James Rusch is a left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously played for the Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, and San Diego Padres...
, Lenny Harris
Lenny Harris
Leonard Anthony Harris is a former Major League Baseball utility infielder who is currently the hitting instructor for the Great Lakes Loons. He is best known for holding the record for the most pinch hits in a major league career...
, and Alex Ochoa
Alex Ochoa
Alex Ochoa is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder. He is a Cuban American and is currently an assistant coach for the Boston Red Sox....
. He failed to make the Mets roster and was released. The San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
signed him as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
a few days later. Had a poor season with the Padres, hitting just .169 in 48 games.
Sweeney spent and with the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, with the Padres, - with the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
and 2007 and with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He has played first base, outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
, and designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
. In 1,120 career games, he is a lifetime .260 hitter, with 42 home runs, 245 runs batted in, and 16 stolen bases.
According to the New York Daily News in a story that broke in January 2007, Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
blamed a positive amphetamine
Amphetamine
Amphetamine or amfetamine is a psychostimulant drug of the phenethylamine class which produces increased wakefulness and focus in association with decreased fatigue and appetite.Brand names of medications that contain, or metabolize into, amphetamine include Adderall, Dexedrine, Dextrostat,...
test result during the 2006 season on a substance he took from Sweeney's locker. Sweeney's agent denied the claim that Bonds had gotten such a substance from Sweeney. Bonds would later clear Sweeney of any involvement in his positive amphetamine test.
On July 27, 2007, against the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, he moved into a tie for 2nd place (151 hits) on the all-time pinch hits list with Manny Mota
Manny Mota
Manuel Rafael Mota Geronimo, more commonly known as Manny Mota was a Major League Baseball Outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos and most notably the Los Angeles Dodgers, best known for his pinch hitting abilities...
with a pinch hit single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
. On July 29, 2007, he moved into sole possession of 2nd place behind Lenny Harris on the all-time pinch hits list with a game-tying, pinch hit double to deep right field in the 9th inning that scored Dave Roberts.
On August 9, 2007, Sweeney was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
Travis Denker
Travis Denker
Travis Norton Denker is a right-handed second baseman who currently plays in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.Prior to playing professional baseball, Denker attended Brea Olinda High School....
. The trade was the first between the Giants and the Dodgers since .
He remained with the Dodgers, primarily as a pinch hitter through the 2008 season. Unable to find a playing position as a free agent for 2009, Sweeney officially announced his retirement on March 6, 2009. He subsequently rejoined the Dodgers organization as an assistant coach.
After Baseball
For the 2010 season, Sweeney works as a baseball correspondent for the Fox News outlet in San Diego.External links
- http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/30/sports/baseball/30record.html?ref=sports
- http://www.nypost.com/seven/01112007/sports/report__bonds_used_speed_sports_.htm