Kansas City, Mo. ? First baseman Mike Sweeney was named to represent the Kansas City Royals on the AL All-Star team, his fifth selection.

Sweeney went into Sunday night’s game hitting .299 with a team-leading nine home runs and 37 RBIs.

“I’m very humbled,” he said. “I know I’ve been off the field a little this year. I’m very honored and excited to take this challenge.”

Injuries limited Sweeney to 57 of the Royals’ first 80 games.

“I go out every single day, and I play as hard as I can,” he said. “The last two weeks of being on the DL have been tough.”

Only Hall-of-Famer George Brett, with 13, has more All-Star selections from the Royals than Sweeney. Amos Otis and Frank White also had five.

“I’m going to represent the town of Kansas City and the Royals,” Sweeney said. “Hopefully, I can be an All-Star not only on the field but off the field. That will be my goal.”

Sweeney, 31, is considered by many the best right-handed hitter the Royals have had. He also was named to the All-Star team in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

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Of course, the shadow of Brett is always close at hand for anyone who plays in Kansas City. When a team official called Sunday morning to give him the good news, he said to Sweeney, “George Brett.”

“George Brett? What are you talking about?” Sweeney said.

Then the official reminded him that Brett’s jersey was No. 5, and this would be Sweeney’s fifth trip to the All-Star game.

“George Brett is Kansas City baseball,” Sweeney said. “Going to my fifth All-Star game is an honor and a thrill.”

He joins his manager, Buddy Bell, as a five-time All-Star selection.

“I think he’s well deserving,” Bell said. “He’s got some good numbers even though he’s been hurt the last month. He’s been one of the best hitters in baseball the last few years.”