Mike Sweeney Leads “Sween Team” at Major League Baseball - Stand Up To Cancer

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Posted January 23, 2012

Mike Sweeney Leads “Sween Team” at Major League Baseball

Mike Sweeney Leads “Sween Team” at Major League Baseball

All-Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run Presented by Nike Benefitting Cancer Charities
Online Registration for “Sween Team” Begins Today
 

Five-time Royals All-Star Mike Sweeney has created the “Sween Team” to participate in the third All-Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run presented by Nike, which will take place on Sunday, July 8 in downtown Kansas City. Sweeney plans to participate in the event and is inviting fans to sign up here to be part of the “Sween Team”. MLB will donate all net proceeds from the event to three charities supporting cancer research and awareness – Prostate Cancer Foundation, Stand Up To Cancer and the Greater Kansas City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The first 200 participants to register for the “Sween Team” using the code SWEEN will receive a $5 registration discount on top of the early bird price as well as a welcome message. In addition, the top fundraiser on the “Sween Team” will have the opportunity to meet Mike Sweeney on race day and receive an autographed jersey.

“I am looking forward to participating in this great event because cancer has impacted so many people, including my own family and good friends,” said Sweeney. “I hope others will join the ‘Sween Team’ and as a group, we can raise awareness and funds in hopes of finding a cure once and for all.”

Sweeney played 16 seasons in the Majors, including his first 13 (1995-2007) as a member of the Kansas City Royals. In 1999, Sweeney compiled a 25-game hitting streak, tied for the third-longest in Royals history with George Brett’s 25-game streak (1983), only trailing Brett’s 30-game streak in 1980 and Jose Offerman’s 27-game hitting streak in 1998. In 2000, the five-time American League All-Star finished second in the A.L. with a club record 144 RBI, surpassing Hal McRae’s previous mark of 133, and was selected to his first All-Star Game. In addition, the first baseman collected his 100th RBI of the season on August 13th, reaching that mark faster than any player in a single season in Royals history. In 2002, the California native recorded a career-best .340 batting average, which ranked second in the A.L. and was the second-highest in club history behind Brett’s .390 mark in 1980. Sweeney, who also played for the Oakland Athletics (2008), Seattle Mariners (2009-10) and Philadelphia Phillies (2010), collected a .297 career batting average with 1,540 hits, 215 home runs and 909 RBI in 1,454 Major League games.

The All-Star themed course will take participants through downtown Kansas City, MO featuring appearances by MLB legends, mascots and celebrity guests.

The 5K, an officially timed event, will begin at 7:30 a.m. CT. Immediately following, at 8:00 a.m. CT, the family-friendly 1-mile Fun Run will begin. All registered finishers will receive a commemorative All-Star medal and t-shirt. Sign up now and receive a special early bird price of $25 (adult) and $20 (children 12 and under) for the 5K and $20 (adult) and $15 (children 12 and under) for the Fun Run. Space is limited so participants are encouraged to sign up early. Registration and event information is available at AllStarGame.com/5K.

For the first time, participants will have the opportunity to register and create their own “All-Star” profile page online, which highlights their favorite League, MLB Team, personal photo, and allows them to share their story. Additionally, MLB fans can compete on behalf of their favorite League by registering under the American League or the National League. Participants will have the opportunity to earn All-Star themed virtual badges, as they recruit friends to join their All-Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run presented by Nike roster and raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Stand Up To Cancer, and the Komen Greater Kansas City Affiliate. Two All-Star MVP badges will be awarded on July 8 to the top recruiter and fundraiser.

Previous MLB All-Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run events have been held in St. Louis (2009) and Anaheim (2010). This unique event unites three national cancer organizations that are committed to leading the fight against cancer.

The All-Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run is one of several cancer-related initiatives supported by Major League Baseball. Other initiatives include Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), whose mission is to support the groundbreaking scientific research aimed at getting new cancer treatments to patients in an accelerated timeframe; “Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer” Mother’s Day program dedicated to raising awareness and support for breast cancer research, in partnership with Komen; the annual Father’s Day celebration, in support of Prostate Cancer Foundation, which helps increase awareness of prostate cancer and raise money for the search for a cure; and Play Sun Smart, a league-wide, skin cancer awareness program in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Players Association and the American Academy of Dermatology.

For more MLB All-Star Week information, please visit AllStarGame.com, @AllStarGame

###Contact: Matt Bourne or Sarah Leer, Major League Baseball, (212) 931-7878

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