Shawon Dunston

From BR Bullpen

Shawon Donnell Dunston

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 1", Weight 175 lb.

High School Thomas Jefferson High School (Brooklyn)

Debut April 9, 1985
Final Game September 29, 2002
Born March 21, 1963 in Brooklyn, NY USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Shortstop Shawon Dunston was the first overall pick in the 1982 amateur draft. As a result, he was a highly visible minor leaguer who was brought along carefully by the Chicago Cubs. When he finally made the majors in 1985, he had great defensive range and could hit with some power, although he never learned to draw a walk in his 18-year major league career. He also never won a Gold Glove, but then Ozzie Smith was winning the award year after year in those days. Dunston also stole 212 bases in his career, with a high of 30 in 1988.

In 1997, Dunston walked a shockingly low eight times all season, tying Doug Flynn for the fewest walks in a full season, post-WWII (450 or more at-bats).

He never led the league in any major hitting category, but was third in the league in doubles with 37 in 1986.

For many years he and Ryne Sandberg formed the double-play combo for the Cubs. Dunston was three years younger than Sandberg, and came up in 1985 to replace veteran Larry Bowa when Sandberg had just won the MVP award in 1984.