Walt Weiss
Encyclopedia
Walter William Weiss is a former shortstop
in Major League Baseball
.
Weiss was a member of the National League
All-Star Team
. He also won the Rookie of the Year
award.
in the 10th round of the amateur draft, Weiss decided to put his professional baseball career on hold and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
. In June 1985, Weiss was the 12th overall pick in the draft.
At the age of 23, Walt made his first major league appearance for the Oakland Athletics in September . The club was impressed enough with the young shortstop's talent that they traded starter Alfredo Griffin
that December, ensuring Weiss would assume a starting job in the 1988 season. Weiss' 1988 season did not seem very impressive offensively as he batted .250 with three home run
s, 39 RBIs
and 44 runs
scored, but the budding shortstop's defensive wizardry helped lead the A's to their first American League
pennant since . The 1988 World Series
was a rematch of the 1974 matchup, with the Los Angeles Dodgers
winning the National League
pennant. Weiss made a costly error
in Game Four of the matchup that allowed the Dodgers to win the Series in five games. Following the season Weiss was awarded the American League Rookie of the Year Award, becoming the third consecutive Oakland player to win the award, following José Canseco
and Mark McGwire
. He was also selected for the 1988 Topps All-Star Rookie Roster
.
in the 1989 World Series
. Although the Series would be overshadowed by the Loma Prieta earthquake
, which delayed play for ten days, Weiss homered and the A's swept the Giants to claim their first title in fifteen years.
saw Weiss put up his best offensive numbers to date in hits
, runs, and batting average
, while also stealing
nine bases. The A's won their third straight pennant, but Weiss was injured in the 1990 American League Championship Series
against the Boston Red Sox
and missed the A's 1990 World Series
loss to the Cincinnati Reds
, four games to none.
Limited by previous injuries, Weiss did not play much in as Oakland missed the playoffs for the first time since 1987. In what would be his final year in Oakland, Weiss batted an anemic .212 in and was traded to the newly-formed Florida Marlins
during the offseason.
Weiss played in 158 games in for the Marlins, but following the season he became a free agent and chose to sign with the Colorado Rockies
- which also had begun play in 1993. He became the first player to play for both the expansion Marlins and Rockies. Weiss had four modestly successful years playing for Colorado, posting career highs in home runs (8) and RBIs (48). However, his strengths were solid defensive play at shortstop and his ability to get on base (.351 lifetime OBP
).
, and became their starting shortstop. Weiss batted .280 and made the All-Star team for the only time in his career for the 1998 Braves, who finished with 106 wins, but was slowed by injuries and appeared in less than a hundred games for the first time since 1991. The next season, Weiss's decline continued as he only finished with a .226 average.
However, in Game 3 of the 1999 NLDS
against the Houston Astros
, Weiss made a stunning defensive play to save the season. In the bottom of the tenth, with the bases loaded, one out, and the score tied, Tony Eusebio
hit a sharp grounder right up the middle. Weiss ranged hard to his left, dove to his stomach, and threw to home to get the force out. After the game, Weiss said that the ball nearly ripped the glove off his hand. Weiss and the Braves went on to win the game, and the series, on the way to an appearance in the 1999 World Series
.
In 2000, Weiss only had 192 at-bats, mostly due to losing playing time to the emergent Rafael Furcal
, who would go on to win the Rookie of the Year Award, just like Weiss twelve years prior. Following the season, Weiss retired.
, is named after him. Walt Weiss is currently the head Varsity coach for Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora Colorado.
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Weiss was a member of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
All-Star Team
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
. He also won the Rookie of the Year
MLB Rookie of the Year Award
In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
award.
Early Success
Initially drafted by the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in the 10th round of the amateur draft, Weiss decided to put his professional baseball career on hold and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
. In June 1985, Weiss was the 12th overall pick in the draft.
At the age of 23, Walt made his first major league appearance for the Oakland Athletics in September . The club was impressed enough with the young shortstop's talent that they traded starter Alfredo Griffin
Alfredo Griffin
Alfredo Claudino Griffin is a former Major League Baseball player, who played shortstop for four teams from 1976 to 1993. He is currently the first base coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Playing career:...
that December, ensuring Weiss would assume a starting job in the 1988 season. Weiss' 1988 season did not seem very impressive offensively as he batted .250 with three home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 39 RBIs
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
and 44 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
scored, but the budding shortstop's defensive wizardry helped lead the A's to their first American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
pennant since . The 1988 World Series
1988 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 15, 1988 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaBecause of using ace Orel Hershiser in Game 7 of the NLCS, the Dodgers had to open with rookie Tim Belcher in Game 1. Meanwhile, Oakland sent a well-rested Dave Stewart to the mound. Both pitchers, however, would have...
was a rematch of the 1974 matchup, with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
winning the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pennant. Weiss made a costly error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in Game Four of the matchup that allowed the Dodgers to win the Series in five games. Following the season Weiss was awarded the American League Rookie of the Year Award, becoming the third consecutive Oakland player to win the award, following José Canseco
José Canseco
José Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco...
and Mark McGwire
Mark McGwire
Mark David McGwire , nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball player who played his major league career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is currently the hitting coach for the St...
. He was also selected for the 1988 Topps All-Star Rookie Roster
Topps All-Star Rookie Rosters
This is a year-by-year list of the Topps All-Star Rookie teams. Note that players selected for a particular team appear in the following year's set release...
.
Mid-career
In Weiss saw his offensive numbers dip as he battled through injury and adversity. The A's again clinched the pennant and met their crosstown rival San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in the 1989 World Series
1989 World Series
†: Game 3 was originally slated for October 17 at 5:35 pm; however, it was postponed when an earthquake occurred at 5:04 pm.-Game 1:Saturday, October 14, 1989 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California...
. Although the Series would be overshadowed by the Loma Prieta earthquake
Loma Prieta earthquake
The Loma Prieta earthquake, also known as the Quake of '89 and the World Series Earthquake, was a major earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay Area of California on October 17, 1989, at 5:04 p.m. local time...
, which delayed play for ten days, Weiss homered and the A's swept the Giants to claim their first title in fifteen years.
saw Weiss put up his best offensive numbers to date in hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, runs, and batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, while also stealing
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
nine bases. The A's won their third straight pennant, but Weiss was injured in the 1990 American League Championship Series
1990 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 6, 1990 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsThe opening game of the series saw a battle of aces, as Oakland sent Dave Stewart to the hill against Boston's Roger Clemens. The game was a scoreless pitchers duel until the bottom of the fourth, when Red Sox third baseman...
against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and missed the A's 1990 World Series
1990 World Series
- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 16, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioUntil , this was the last World Series to be scheduled to begin play on a Tuesday, and the first since . The schedule called for the seven-game series to be held Tue–Wed, Fri–Sat–Sun, Tue–Wed. Games 5, 6, and 7, however...
loss to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, four games to none.
Limited by previous injuries, Weiss did not play much in as Oakland missed the playoffs for the first time since 1987. In what would be his final year in Oakland, Weiss batted an anemic .212 in and was traded to the newly-formed Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
during the offseason.
Weiss played in 158 games in for the Marlins, but following the season he became a free agent and chose to sign with the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
- which also had begun play in 1993. He became the first player to play for both the expansion Marlins and Rockies. Weiss had four modestly successful years playing for Colorado, posting career highs in home runs (8) and RBIs (48). However, his strengths were solid defensive play at shortstop and his ability to get on base (.351 lifetime OBP
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
).
Later career
In December 1997, Weiss signed with the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, and became their starting shortstop. Weiss batted .280 and made the All-Star team for the only time in his career for the 1998 Braves, who finished with 106 wins, but was slowed by injuries and appeared in less than a hundred games for the first time since 1991. The next season, Weiss's decline continued as he only finished with a .226 average.
However, in Game 3 of the 1999 NLDS
1999 National League Division Series
-Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Mets:-Game 1, October 5:Turner Field in Atlanta, GeorgiaA pitcher's duel between Shane Reynolds and Greg Maddux highlighted Game 1. The Astros struck first in the top of the second when Tony Eusebio singled in Carl Everett. Gerald Williams would tie the game in...
against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, Weiss made a stunning defensive play to save the season. In the bottom of the tenth, with the bases loaded, one out, and the score tied, Tony Eusebio
Tony Eusebio
Raul Antonio Bare Eusebio is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Houston Astros....
hit a sharp grounder right up the middle. Weiss ranged hard to his left, dove to his stomach, and threw to home to get the force out. After the game, Weiss said that the ball nearly ripped the glove off his hand. Weiss and the Braves went on to win the game, and the series, on the way to an appearance in the 1999 World Series
1999 World Series
The 1999 World Series, the 95th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, featured a rematch between the defending champions New York Yankees against the Atlanta Braves during the month of October, with the Yankees sweeping the Series in four games for their second title in a row,...
.
In 2000, Weiss only had 192 at-bats, mostly due to losing playing time to the emergent Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
, who would go on to win the Rookie of the Year Award, just like Weiss twelve years prior. Following the season, Weiss retired.
After Baseball
Walt Weiss has been linked to various charitable acts, including repeated donations to a local Northern New York High School (Watertown High School, Watertown, New York). In addition, the baseball field at Walt's alma mater, Suffern High SchoolSuffern High School
Suffern High School is located in the Ramapo Central School District in Suffern, New York. Students participate in classes from 7:30 – 14:05 EST. The school's mascot is a Mountain Lion and its newspaper is the Mountain Echo. Its news program is SHS News...
, is named after him. Walt Weiss is currently the head Varsity coach for Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora Colorado.