2008 Woodie Awards
Mercy Alum Sweeney Outduels Yanks and The Big Unit
Dan Racciopo
Issue date: 5/15/06 Section: Flyer Sports
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The 6 foot 2, two-hundred pounder has had some success in the major leagues. He debuted with the Seattle Mariners in the August of 2003 where he posted an impressive 1.93 ERA (Earned Run Average) in limited action, seeing just over nine innings of work.
The next season, he found himself in the National League, pitching for his current team. In 14.1 innings, he posted an ERA of 5.50. He did not see any major league time in 2005.
This is, however, a new year. He has pitched over 14 innings so far this season posting a very respectable earned run average of just 3.14, and has a record of 1-0. He has stifled the lefties' bats, who have a mere .167 batting average against him, and has done well against the righties as well, who are hitting just .250 against him.
In his career, he has under a 4.00 ERA in 38 innings of work. Right now, he is pitching to the likes of ex-Mets catcher Mike Piazza as part of the bull-pen which is designed to bridge the gap to the closer, Trevor Hoffman.
According to a press release on April 5, his manager Bruce Bochy had told MLB.com, "He's a good swingman." Bochy also said "He can be a long-relief man, he can start. He's resilient."
Like Bochy said, he can start and he did. He made his first start against the now Yankee, then Arizona Diamondbacks ace, the tall lefty, Randy Johnson. Sweeney came out on top.
Sweeney took the mound as a Mercy Flyer as well, forty-seven times to be exact from 1993 to 1996. He had a 5.06 ERA throughout his Mercy tenure. He pitched mostly as a starter but came out of the pen as well, which this year has been a familiar role for him so far. He also played the outfield and batted a career .281 with the Flyers.
Sweeney said in a press release, "It's nice to make the team, but now I want to stick here in the big leagues, make and impact and help the Padres win a World Series." He added, "It's hard enough to make the 25 man roster, now I have to stay. I don't want to go back (to the minors)... Hopefully I can stay and make an impact."
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