Jerome Walton

From BR Bullpen

Jerome O'Terrell Walton

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 1", Weight 175 lb.
School Enterprise State Junior College
Debut April 4, 1989
Final Game May 6, 1998
Born July 8, 1965 in Newnan, GA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Jerome Walton, the 1989 National League Rookie of the Year, played ten seasons in the major leagues.

Walton was signed as a second-round pick in the 1986 amateur draft by the Chicago Cubs and scout Earl Winn. He moved up the Cubs' minor league organization, hitting over .330 in both 1987 and 1988.

He became a major league regular in 1989, appearing in 116 games. It was his only season with 500+ at-bats at the major league level. Hitting .293 with 24 stolen bases, he was part of the 1989 Cubs division-winning season along with players such as Ryne Sandberg, Greg Maddux, Andre Dawson and Dwight Smith, who finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting behind Walton.

Walton was often injured during his career, not even playing a full season in his Rookie of the year winning campaign in 1989. In spite of missing many games, he hit at least .290 in each of his last five seasons from 1994-98.