Jim Walewander

James Walewander

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 160 lb.
• School Iowa State University
• High School Maine South High School
• Debut May 31, 1987
• Final Game October 3, 1993
• Born May 2, 1962 in Chicago, IL USA

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Biographical Information

Jim Walewander was signed as a 9th round pick in the 1983 amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers and scouting director George Bradley. He was notoriously flaky and a fan of the alternative rock band the Dead Milkmen, endearing himself to Tiger faithful.

Walewander's rise through the minors was delayed by the presence of Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker, but he 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 one late September game, with a Tiger loss meaning elimination from the division race, pinch-hitter Walewander scooted home with the game-winning run after Toronto shortstop Manuel Lee made an error. Frank Tanana pitched a 1-0 shutout the next day, handing Detroit the division title. Walewander was not on the playoff roster, and Minnesota defeated the Tigers in the ALCS.

He played one more year with the Tigers before his release. He played with the New York Yankees and then in Italy before his last 12 games, in a California Angels uniform in 1993.

For his career, Walewander played in exactly 162 games (a full baseball season), batting .215 with 1 home run and 14 RBI in 242 at-bats.