MLB - Sports Rumors

Fri May 23, 2008 1:17 pm EDT

Ryan Sweeney is baseball's biggest slap hitter

By Joe Zedalis

Ryan Sweeney

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White Sox outfielder Brian Anderson spends a lot of time teasing Ryan Sweeney about his lack of power despite Sweeney's ideal baseball physique.

"I mock Ryan for being a 6-foot-5, 220-pound singles hitter," Anderson said.

"That's what I call myself," the A's rookie outfielder countered. "I'm the biggest slap hitter in the league. Although I have as many homers as Brian - we're tied right now."

It's true. The close friends have one homer each. But it is Sweeney who is often the subject of home-run potential discussions, because of his tall frame and wide shoulders. He's been hearing it for years.

"It's kind of annoying," Sweeney said. "I hit home runs in high school, and one year in the minors I hit 13, but I just haven't found my power stroke. Hopefully, it will come, but I think of myself as more of a gap-to-gap hitter.  Home runs aren't my game, but I've always gotten that because of the way I look. People are automatically, 'Home run, home run!' "

Source: San Francisco ChronicleNew Window

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20 Comments

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  1. Revin W
    1. Posted by Revin W Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:37 pm EDT

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    fundamental baseball wins games.... if everyone were going for the long ball then scoring wouldn't be as high and every game would become a humerun derby
  2. bobcostas is a jerk
    2. Posted by bobcostas is a jerk Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:06 pm EDT

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    Better than having a crap load of strikeouts.
  3. Stephen S
    3. Posted by Stephen S Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:44 pm EDT

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    I'm surprised Brian Anderson is makin fun of anybody. Who's he kidding when he steps behind the plate? Having the potential to hit home runs is nice........ but so is getting on base more often.
  4. Chino
    4. Posted by Chino Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:34 pm EDT

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    small ball is the way to play the game.....id take small ball over power hitting anytime.
  5. Patrick
    5. Posted by Patrick Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:30 pm EDT

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    Stephen S, he is kidding around with Sweeney. They are very close friends and were in the minors together. It's just two buddies goofing around with each other,,,,chill bra
  6. G
    6. Posted by G Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:05 pm EDT

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    "better than having a crapload of strikeouts" ??? Really?
    Ryan Howard struck out a major league record 199 times last year. But I'll take his 47 homeruns anytime...58 the year before. Most good power hitters strike out alot. Betting that then grounding into double plays when there is men on base. By the way, most of those same power hitters walk alot too. Anyway, teams need power. You can't neglect On-base percentage, you are right, but you put together a team of high-on base guys at the top of the order, and power hitters in the middle, then you have a good hitting team.
  7. Logan
    7. Posted by Logan Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:55 pm EDT

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    Sweeney is a boss. I wish we could trade him back for Nick Swisher right now.
  8. Larry
    8. Posted by Larry Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:48 pm EDT

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    you are incredibly retarded papayafrenzy
  9. live 4 surf
    9. Posted by live 4 surf Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:56 pm EDT

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    rosa due to his pitch a few games then on the d.l. career your material is limited, plus he probably went through this silly stuff at 13 and 14.
  10. NYY
    10. Posted by NYY Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:03 pm EDT

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    Singles win games, if you hit 35 solo home runs, thats 35 RBIs, if i only hit 5 homers, but get 100 hits with RISP, thats 150+ RBIs, which would you rather have?
  11. SPORTS WITH STEVE
    11. Posted by SPORTS WITH STEVE Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    hes a line drive hitter who will do well. if he hits a hr then its iceing on the cake go a's!!!!!!!!!!
  12. Buffalo1
    12. Posted by Buffalo1 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:42 pm EDT

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    Just keep making contact, Ryan. The power will come.
  13. yankeesrule2009
    13. Posted by yankeesrule2009 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:19 pm EDT

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    he's got great potential
  14. J-Mill
    14. Posted by J-Mill Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:01 pm EDT

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    Shut Up All of You. He's a Girly man who plays for a low budget team that will never compete with Red Sox NATION BABY!!
  15. Chris
    15. Posted by Chris Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:54 pm EDT

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    I can completely understand why this is listed as a rumor.
  16. Ricky Sea
    16. Posted by Ricky Sea Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:40 pm EDT

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    Yes yes, but who is baseball's biggest slapper?
  17. corynneo
    17. Posted by corynneo Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:29 pm EDT

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    Yeah J-mill what happened to your Red Sox nation this weekend when those low budget a's swept you. I think that's called competing! Nice Run support too with all of 6 runs in 3 games. Your nation better watch out here come the Rays. Oh yeah and Sweeny just hit a home run off Josh Becket this Saturday.
  18. This Guy
    18. Posted by This Guy Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:59 pm EDT

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    "Yes yes, but who is baseball's biggest slapper?"
    BRETT MYERS, of course!
  19. Lew Ghost
    19. Posted by Lew Ghost Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:50 pm EDT

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    who liked what 17 had to say, too bad his BoSox got their butts kicked by the A's
  20. cschnepf2
    20. Posted by cschnepf2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:31 pm EDT

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    Who fukking cares about Sweeney or the Sox.

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