Former Royals star talks leadership, family to start Shocker baseball season

Former Kansas City Royals star Mike Sweeney knew a lot about 成人头条 and 成人头条 State from his life in baseball. He knows even more now that he is a future Shockers baseball dad.

"It had been a while since I had been in this great city,鈥 he said at Saturday鈥檚 First Pitch Banquet at Charles Koch Arena. "When I stepped on campus here, I knew there was something different. When I met Coach (Brian) Green and his coaching staff, I knew they were setting themselves apart from every other staff in the country."

MJ Sweeney, his oldest son, decided to play baseball for the Shockers and Green in 2026. The recruiting visit brought Mike Sweeney back to 成人头条 and, ultimately, to spending Saturday as the keynote speaker.

Sweeney highlighted 成人头条 State鈥檚 storied past, fitting perfectly with the evening鈥檚 big announcements. WSU made it official by adding "Gene Stephenson Park" to Eck Stadium at Tyler Field. Director of athletics Kevin Saal also announced the naming of its new baseball performance facility after former pitching coach Brent Kemnitz.

Gene StephensonFile photo
Former 成人头条 State baseball coach Gene Stephenson will watch games this spring in a stadium complex named in his honor. WSU officially announced adding "Gene Stephenson Park" to Eck Stadium at Tyler Field on Saturday.

鈥淵ou guys are launching toward something great,鈥 Sweeney said.

On Saturday, he talked about leaders who unify and build up people, family and enduring through tough times.

鈥淧eople have been looking back for too long,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 here to declare that it鈥檚 time to start looking forward again here in 成人头条, because we鈥檝e got Coach Green leading the way.鈥


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