Walton and fellow rookie outfielder Dwight Smith were vital components in the Cubs' surprising 1989 division title. Using an unusually wide open stance and pivoting at the pitch, he called to mind Brian Downing at the plate. In reality, though, the speedy Walton got his results with a line-drive stroke that produced little power. He won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1989 despite spending the middle of the season on the disabled list, batting .293, swiping 24 bases, and crafting a 30 game hitting streak.
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Walton's production slipped drastically over the next two seasons. He dropped to .261 with 14 stolen bases in 1990, and suffered a broken hand and right wrist injury that limited him to 101 games. And in 1991, he batted .219, stealing just seven bags. Spending a large part of 1992 in the minors, Walton hit a paltry .127 in limited major league duty. The Cubs tired of his regression and allowed him to sign with the Angels in the offseason. Walton didn't make it through the season, however. Released on August 19, 1993, he signed with the Cincinnati Reds.
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»May 10, 1989:
The Cubs lose to the Giants, 4–3 when a rally falls short. Jerome Walton is tagged for the last out as he is crawling to 3B. Walton injures his hamstring on the play and will miss a month.
»August 21, 1989: Cubs rookie OF Jerome Walton goes 0-for-4 in a 6–5, 10-inning loss to the Reds, ending his hitting streak at 30 consecutive games.
»October 5, 1989: The Cubs even the NLCS with six runs in the first inning. Jerome Walton has two hits in the outburst. Chicago wins 9–5.
»November 8, 1989: Cubs OF Jerome Walton wins the National League Rookie of the Year Award, collecting 22 of 24 first-place votes to defeat teammate Dwight Smith. They are the first NL teammates to finish 1-2 in the voting since the Phillies Jack Sanford and Ed Bouchee in 1957. Walton is the first Cub to win rookie honors since Billy Williams, in 1961.
»May 19, 1999:
The Giants beat the Diamondbacks, 8-3, and stop Arizona OF Luis Gonzalez' 30-game hitting streak. It is the longest streak in the NL since Jerome Walton of the Cubs also hit in 30 in a row in 1989.
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