Jim Walewander

Jim Walewander
Second baseman
Born: (1962-05-02) May 2, 1962 (age 62) Chicago, Illinois
Batted: Both Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 31, 1987, for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
October 3, 1993, for the California Angels

Professional

The Detroit Tigers signed Walewander in the 9th round of the 1983 MLB amateur draft.

• In 1983 he was voted MVP by the fans of the 1983 Rookie League Bristol Tigers.
• In 1984 & 1985 he was voted to the Florida State League (A-Ball) all-star team by coaches and reporters.
• In 1986 he was voted to the Eastern League (AA) all-star team by coaches and reporters.
• In 1987, he started the season with the Tiger's AAA affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens in Toledo, Ohio.
• In 1987, he was called up to the Detroit Tigers on May 30.
• He was on the Tiger team that won the 1987 American League East Division Championship.
• In 1988, he was on the team that placed second in the American League East Division – one game behind the Boston Red Sox
• In 1988, he was 2nd on the team in stolen bases
• In 1989, he played on the Detroit Tiger AAA team, the Mud Hens, in Toledo, Ohio.

Yankees

• He was picked up as a free agent with the New York Yankees organization in the 1989 off season.
• In 1990, he played most of the season with the Yankee AAA affiliate, the Columbus Clippers in Columbus, Ohio. There he led International League in stolen bases and second in runs scored. Wale wander was called up to the Yankees in September.
• In 1991 Walewander led the league in stolen bases for a second straight season. That year, the Columbus Clippers won the AAA International League Championship.

Mediolanum Milano

• In 1992 Walewander played in Milan, Italy with the Mediolanum Milano baseball team, owned at the time by Silvio Berlusconi.
• While there, his team won the Coppa della Coppa Tournament in Amsterdam.
• Mid-season Walewander incurred an injury and returned to the US.

Texas Rangers

• Upon return to the United States from Italy, Walewander was picked up by the Texas Ranger AAA organization - the Oklahoma City 89ers.
• He finished off the season helping them win the 1992 American Association Championship.

California Angels

• In 1993, Walewander was picked up by the California Angels organization and played in their AAA affiliate, the Vancouver Canadians.
• At the end of the season, he was named Most Versatile Player. Walewander was called up to the Angels in July and September

Florida Marlins

• In 1994, Walewander signed with the Florida Marlins AAA team - the Edmonton Trappers.

College

• For college, Walewander attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
• He broke the Big-8 Conference record for stolen bases and walks in a season in 1982.
• He earned All-Conference, All-Tournament and All-Academic designations in 1983.
• He was drafted in the 9th round of the 1983 MLB amateur draft.

High school

• Prior to his professional career, Walewander attended Maine South High School (the same school Hillary Clinton attended) in Park Ridge, Illinois where he played baseball and basketball.
• His basketball team won the Illinois High School Boys Championship in 1979.
• His baseball team came in 3rd in State for Baseball in 1980.
• Walewander won Maine South Athlete of the Year in 1980.

References

1. "Jim Walewander Stats - Baseball-Reference.com".
2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 13, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
3. "Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Happy Birthday Jim Walewander, or How I Learned About Real Music And Brought About The Disaster of '87".
4. "When the Tigers Had a Punk Rocker in Their Infield - Detroit Athletic Co. Blog". April 27, 2011. Archived from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
5. "The Dead Milkmen/Detroit Tigers connection". www.chinmusic.net. Archived from the original on August 24, 2003.