MLB: Sweeney hopes to play one more year

Sweeney, released by the Oakland A’s late last season, wants to sign with another club in time for 2009 Spring Training.

“My dad always taught me growing up that you should never look back and have regrets. I want baseball to shut the door on me while I’m kicking and screaming,” he said. “My plan is to play this year. I don’t want to look back 10 years from now and look back and say, ‘Gosh, I wish I would’ve have given it another shot rather than just hang ‘em up.’ “

After 13 years with Kansas City, Sweeney signed a Minor League contract last winter with the A’s and made the roster. Because of knee problems, he played in just 42 games as a first baseman, designated hitter and pinch-hitter with a .286 average, two homers and 12 RBIs.

He won’t be returning to the Royals. “No, we haven’t spoken with the Royals,” Sweeney said. “They’re not one of the teams that have shown interest to my agent.”

..."Even though I’m one or two hits away from being a career .300 hitter and one home run shy of 200, the numbers should never identify a person,” he said. “If I wind up that way, that’s great, because that’s everything I had. If my career ends tomorrow, I’ll never have a regret.”

.299 and 199? I’d be Monk-###### the rest of my life!