KANSAS CITY -- Former Royal Mike Sweeney was inducted into the Royals' Hall of Fame in an emotional ceremony at Kauffman Stadium last summer.
Unfortunately for Sweeney, his first year on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot also will be his last. Sweeney received three votes for 0.7 percent -- 5 percent is needed to remain on the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot.
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Two other former Royals -- second baseman Mark Grudzielanek and catcher Jason Kendall -- also were first-timers on the ballot this year. Kendall received two votes while Grudzielanek received none, so neither will make the ballot again as well.
Both Sweeney -- special assistant to the general manager -- and Kendall, an assistant coach, remain in the Royals organization.
Sweeney was a dominant hitter with the Royals in his prime and still holds the club record for RBIs in a single season with 144 in 2000. From 1999-2005 he averaged 23 homers and 95 RBIs with a .313 average and .905 OPS.