Walt Weiss

Walter William Weiss (born November 28, 1963 in Tuxedo, New York) is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball. Weiss was a member of the 1998 National League All-Star Team. He also won the 1988 Rookie of the Year award. Initially drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 10th round of the 1982 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 1985 draft. At the age of 23, Walt made his first major league appearance for the Oakland Athletics in September 1987. 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 runs, 39 RBIs and 44 runs scored, but the budding shortstop's defensive wizardry helped lead the A's to their first...