As an infielder, Walewander's advancement to the majors was delayed by shortstop Alan Trammell and second baseman Lou Whitaker. "Wales" was finally summoned to Detroit on May 31, 1987, going 1 for 2 against the Minnesota Twins. Walewander primarily appeared as a defensive substitute or pinch-runner in the late innings. He was a key figure as the Tigers battled the Toronto Blue Jays for the division crown. In the 12th inning of the season's penultimate game against Toronto, pinch-hitter Walewander scooted home with the game-winning run after Trammell drilled a game-winning single through Toronto shortstop Manuel Lee's legs.[2] Detroit won the division title the next day via a Frank Tanana 1–0 shutout. Walewander was not on the playoff roster, and Minnesota defeated Tigers in the ALCS.
Walewander had his own quirky style that endeared him to the fans of Detroit,[3] who felt compelled to start The Jimmy Walewander Fan Club. His behavior was often interpreted as unconventional. He played 18 holes of golf wearing combat boots, but that was because he left his spikes at home. He used tin foil as curtains to cover the window in his Minor League apartment, because that was the only thing that kept sun out. When asked how he found Mark Langston, one of the first pitchers Walewander faced in the Major Leagues, Walewander responded, "I walked from the on-deck circle to the batter's box and there he was on the mound."[4] Walewander was also a fan of the Philadelphiapunk band The Dead Milkmen. The punk rockers were guests in the dugout when Walewander hit his only major-league home run.[5]
A local Tigers fan, named "Eastside Billee" aka William Speelman, wrote a "theme song" for Walewander, called "The Jim Walewander Blues", and recorded it with his band The Ten Speeds. The song got radio airplay in the Lakeland, Florida area during spring training one year. Broadcaster Ernie Harwell even gave a Detroit newspaper review of the song in an article written by Shelby Strother. The song, and its lyrics, were also mentioned in a Sports Illustrated article regarding Walewander.
Wales played one more year with the Tigers before his release. He played with the New York Yankees and then in Italy before his last game, in a California Angels uniform in 1993.
For his Major League career, Walewander batted .215 with a home run and 14 RBI in 242 at-bats. Walewander's 24 runs scored on only 13 hits during the 1987 season represents the all-time record for the highest 'runs to hits' ratio (1.846) for a major league season for players with 10 or more hits.
This section is in list format but may read better as prose. You can help by converting this section, if appropriate. Editing help is available.(April 2017)
Professionaledit
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.
Yankeesedit
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 Milanoedit
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 Rangersedit
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 Angelsedit
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 Marlinsedit
In 1994, Walewander signed with the Florida Marlins AAA team - the Edmonton Trappers.
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 schooledit
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.
^. Archived from the original on 2015-10-13. Retrieved 2015-08-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^"Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Happy Birthday Jim Walewander, or How I Learned About Real Music And Brought About The Disaster of '87".
^"When the Tigers Had a Punk Rocker in Their Infield - Detroit Athletic Co. Blog". 27 April 2011.
^. www.chinmusic.net. Archived from the original on 2003-08-24.
January 01, 1970
walewander, wales, walewander, born, 1962, chicago, illinois, american, former, professional, baseball, infielder, walewander, drafted, detroit, tigers, round, 1983, major, league, baseball, draft, during, professional, career, played, tigers, york, yankees, c. Jim Wales Walewander born May 2 1962 in Chicago Illinois is an American former professional baseball infielder Walewander was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 9th round of the 1983 Major League Baseball draft During his professional career he played for the Tigers New York Yankees and California Angels of Major League Baseball MLB 1 He attended Iowa State University and is an alumnus of Arizona State University and UCLA Jim WalewanderSecond basemanBorn 1962 05 02 May 2 1962 age 61 Chicago IllinoisBatted BothThrew RightMLB debutMay 31 1987 for the Detroit TigersLast MLB appearanceOctober 3 1993 for the California AngelsMLB statisticsBatting average 215Home runs1Runs batted in14TeamsDetroit Tigers 1987 1988 New York Yankees 1990 California Angels 1993 Contents 1 Career 2 Athletic history 2 1 Professional 2 1 1 Yankees 2 1 2 Mediolanum Milano 2 1 3 Texas Rangers 2 1 4 California Angels 2 1 5 Florida Marlins 2 2 College 2 3 High school 3 ReferencesCareer editAs an infielder Walewander s advancement to the majors was delayed by shortstop Alan Trammell and second baseman Lou Whitaker Wales was finally summoned to Detroit on May 31 1987 going 1 for 2 against the Minnesota Twins Walewander primarily appeared as a defensive substitute or pinch runner in the late innings He was a key figure as the Tigers battled the Toronto Blue Jays for the division crown In the 12th inning of the season s penultimate game against Toronto pinch hitter Walewander scooted home with the game winning run after Trammell drilled a game winning single through Toronto shortstop Manuel Lee s legs 2 Detroit won the division title the next day via a Frank Tanana 1 0 shutout Walewander was not on the playoff roster and Minnesota defeated Tigers in the ALCS Walewander had his own quirky style that endeared him to the fans of Detroit 3 who felt compelled to start The Jimmy Walewander Fan Club His behavior was often interpreted as unconventional He played 18 holes of golf wearing combat boots but that was because he left his spikes at home He used tin foil as curtains to cover the window in his Minor League apartment because that was the only thing that kept sun out When asked how he found Mark Langston one of the first pitchers Walewander faced in the Major Leagues Walewander responded I walked from the on deck circle to the batter s box and there he was on the mound 4 Walewander was also a fan of the Philadelphia punk band The Dead Milkmen The punk rockers were guests in the dugout when Walewander hit his only major league home run 5 A local Tigers fan named Eastside Billee aka William Speelman wrote a theme song for Walewander called The Jim Walewander Blues and recorded it with his band The Ten Speeds The song got radio airplay in the Lakeland Florida area during spring training one year Broadcaster Ernie Harwell even gave a Detroit newspaper review of the song in an article written by Shelby Strother The song and its lyrics were also mentioned in a Sports Illustrated article regarding Walewander Wales played one more year with the Tigers before his release He played with the New York Yankees and then in Italy before his last game in a California Angels uniform in 1993 For his Major League career Walewander batted 215 with a home run and 14 RBI in 242 at bats Walewander s 24 runs scored on only 13 hits during the 1987 season represents the all time record for the highest runs to hits ratio 1 846 for a major league season for players with 10 or more hits After leaving baseball Walewander earned his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management Athletic history editThis section is in list format but may read better as prose You can help by converting this section if appropriate Editing help is available April 2017 Professional edit 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 amp 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 edit 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 edit 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 edit 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 edit 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 edit In 1994 Walewander signed with the Florida Marlins AAA team the Edmonton Trappers College edit 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 edit 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 edit Jim Walewander Stats Baseball Reference com Archived copy Archived from the original on 2015 10 13 Retrieved 2015 08 04 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link Batter s Box Interactive Magazine Happy Birthday Jim Walewander or How I Learned About Real Music And Brought About The Disaster of 87 When the Tigers Had a Punk Rocker in Their Infield Detroit Athletic Co Blog 27 April 2011 The Dead Milkmen Detroit Tigers connection www chinmusic net Archived from the original on 2003 08 24 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jim Walewander amp oldid 1152821308, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
