 08/23/2003 7:44 PM ET
Royals notes: Sweeney the DH
Berroa focused on winning; Affeldt dazzles in relief
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By Robert Falkoff / MLB.com
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MINNEAPOLIS -- Mike Sweeney is having to make an adjustment. He's getting
his four swings a game, but beyond that he's coping with idle time.
Because of nerve irritation of the neck and back that forced him to miss
45 games, Sweeney is strictly a designated hitter these days.
"The doctors and our medical staff have said it's not wise for me to play
in the field right now," Sweeney said. "I know I can't play first base
right now, so it's an adjustment I have to make."
Sweeney, who returned on Aug. 8, has never gone this long strictly as a
designated hitter. He said he doesn't have any specific routine to deal
with the idle time between plate appearances.
"Not really," Sweeney said. "I just try to stay loose between at-bats."
Mike Sweeney
/ 1B
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In a perfect world, Sweeney would prefer to play in the field.
"When you're playing in the field, you get into the flow of the game,"
Sweeney said. "If you have a bad at-bat, you can go out there and play
defense and forget about it. But right now, my job is to help this team
win and the position they have put me in is designated hitter. I intend to
do that."
The Royals went into Saturday's game against Minnesota trailing the
first-place White Sox by one game with 35 games remaining. It's the kind
of late-season spot Sweeney has craved after playing on a series of
Royals teams that never had the opportunity to win a division title.
"There's only one division winner," Sweeney said. "Second place is just as
bad as last place in my eyes. I'm hoping we can finish these next five
weeks strong. There's only one place I want to be and that's on top."
Having missed significant chunks of the last two seasons because of
back-related problems, Sweeney said he will sit down with the Kansas City
trainers and medical officials in the offseason to determine whether any
type of surgical procedure would be beneficial.
"I don't know," Sweeney said. "That's something we'll have to talk about,
probably after the season. I'll talk with our trainers Nick (Swartz) and
Frank (Kyte) and I'll talk to our docs."
For now, Sweeney is concentrating on being the best designated hitter he
can be. He went into Saturday's game hitting .278 since coming off the
disabled list.
A hot Sweeney down the stretch could be huge and Sweeney is ready to
deliver. To do so, he'll have to overcome not only the opposing pitchers,
but idle time as well.
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Angel Berroa
/ SS |
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Berroa focused: Shortstop Angel Berroa is starting to get some national
attention as a Rookie of the Year candidate. But Berroa isn't concerning
himself with postseason awards. He's too busy with the task at hand.
"I just want to help my team win," Berroa said. "I'm not thinking about
being Rookie of the Year. If it happens, it happens. But I don't play for
that."
Among other things, Berroa has been a durable performer in 2003. Berroa
and Raul Ibañez lead the Royals with 124 games played out of a possible
128.
"We have a day off Monday," Berroa said. "I'll rest then."
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Jeremy Affeldt
/ P
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Affeldt sharp: The Royals were still raving Saturday about left-hander
Jeremy Affeldt's inspiring relief effort Friday night. Affeldt worked 2
1/3 innings and overmatched Minnesota's hitters while recording his second
career save.
"We had in mind to only pitch him one inning," Royals manager Tony Peña
said. "But the way he was throwing the ball, there was no reason to take
him out. We were going to lose him for the next game anyhow. I won't pitch
him two days in a row."
The Royals think Affeldt can be used three times a week in his current
role.
The more Affeldt is on the mound in meaningful situations, the better it
figures to be for the Royals.
Bonus Buck Night: The Royals have added a Dodge Buck Night to their
promotional schedule. During the upcoming homestand opener against Texas
on Tuesday night, all hot dogs, small soft drinks and peanuts are just $1
each. Robert Falkoff is a reporter for
MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball
or its clubs.
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