History of Walt Weiss in Timeline

Walt Weiss is a former MLB shortstop and current manager for the Atlanta Braves. He played from 1987 to 2000 for the Athletics, Marlins, Rockies, and Braves. Weiss managed the Colorado Rockies from 2013 to 2016. His achievements include winning the 1988 Rookie of the Year award and being selected for the 1998 National League All-Star Team.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

November 28, 1963: Walter Weiss Born

On November 28, 1963, Walter William Weiss was born. He is an American former professional baseball shortstop and current manager.

1974: Oakland Athletics Last AL Pennant

In 1974, was the last time the Oakland Athletics won the American League Pennant before Walt Weiss helped lead them to a win in 1988.

1982: Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles

In 1982, Walt Weiss was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 10th round of the amateur draft, but chose to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill instead.

1984: Played for the Wareham Gatemen

In 1984, Walt Weiss played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, was named a league all-star and set a league record for most doubles in a season.

June 1985: Drafted 12th Overall

In June 1985, Walt Weiss was the 12th overall pick in the MLB draft.

1986: José Canseco wins Rookie of the Year

In 1986, José Canseco won Rookie of the Year

September 1987: Major League Debut

In September 1987, at the age of 23, Walt Weiss made his major league debut for the Oakland Athletics.

1987: MLB Debut

In 1987, Walt Weiss began his MLB career.

1987: A's Missed Playoffs

In 1987, the Oakland A's began their playoff streak that was broken in 1991.

1988: Rookie of the Year

In 1988, Walt Weiss won the Rookie of the Year award.

1988: AL Pennant and Rookie of the Year

In 1988, Walt Weiss's defensive skills helped lead the Oakland A's to their first American League pennant since 1974. Although he made a costly error in Game 4 of the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers won the series in five games, he was voted American League Rookie of the Year for 1988 and made the Topps All-Star Rookie Roster.

1989: World Series Champion

In 1989, Walt Weiss and the A's repeated as AL pennant winners and met their crosstown rival San Francisco Giants in the 1989 World Series. Weiss homered and the A's swept the Giants to claim their first world title in fifteen years.

1990: Third Straight Pennant

In 1990, Walt Weiss had his best offensive numbers to date and the A's won their third straight pennant, but he was injured in the ALCS and missed the World Series loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

1991: Injuries Limit Play

In 1991, Walt Weiss's play was limited by prior injuries, and the A's missed the playoffs for the first time since 1987.

1991: Appeared in less than a hundred games

In 1991, was the first time since then that Walt Weiss appeared in less than a hundred games until he was slowed by injuries in 1998.

1992: Traded to the Florida Marlins

In 1992, Walt Weiss hit .212 and was traded to the new NL expansion Florida Marlins for Eric Helfand and a player to be named later during the offseason.

1993: Joins the Colorado Rockies

In 1993, Walt Weiss played in 158 games for the Marlins, became a free agent after the season, and then chose to sign with the Colorado Rockies. He became the first player to appear for both of these 1993 expansion teams.

December 1997: Signed with the Atlanta Braves

In December 1997, Walt Weiss signed with the Atlanta Braves.

1998: All-Star Season

In 1998, Walt Weiss hit .280 and made the All-Star team, the only time he did so in his career. He was also slowed by injuries that year.

1998: Named to the National League All-Star Team

In 1998, Walt Weiss was selected to be a member of the National League All-Star Team.

April 20, 1999: Baseball Field Named After Weiss

On April 20, 1999, the baseball field at Walt Weiss's alma mater, Suffern High School, was named after him.

1999: Glove Destroyed

During the 1999 World Series, Chipper Jones' warmup throw before Game 3 destroyed the pocket of Walt Weiss's glove, which he used for twelve seasons. The glove had to be reassembled using fishing line to enable its use through the rest of the series, after which it was retired.

1999: Defensive Play Saves Season

In 1999, during Game 3 of the NLDS against the Houston Astros, Walt Weiss made a stunning defensive play, ranging hard to his left, falling on his stomach and throwing to home for the force, to save the season. The Braves went on to win the game and the division series.

2000: Retirement from Braves

Following the 2000 season, Walt Weiss retired from the Braves as a player.

2000: MLB Career Ends

In 2000, Walt Weiss's MLB playing career ended.

2001: Turned Down Cardinals

In 2001, Walt Weiss decided against signing with the St. Louis Cardinals as a player.

2002: Special Instructor and Adviser

In 2002, Walt Weiss returned to the Rockies as a special instructor and adviser to the front office, a role he held through 2008.

2008: Leaves Rockies

In 2008, Walt Weiss left his job with the Rockies to spend more time with his family and coach his sons' baseball and football teams.

November 7, 2012: Named Rockies Manager

On November 7, 2012, Walt Weiss was signed to be the manager of the Colorado Rockies.

2013: Rockies Manager

In 2013, Walt Weiss became the manager of the Colorado Rockies.

October 3, 2016: Stepped Down as Manager

On October 3, 2016, Walt Weiss stepped down as the manager of the Colorado Rockies after four seasons with the club, finishing with a record of 283 wins and 365 losses.

2016: End of Rockies Management

In 2016, Walt Weiss's tenure as manager of the Colorado Rockies ended.

November 10, 2017: Hired as Braves Bench Coach

On November 10, 2017, the Braves announced that Walt Weiss had been hired as their bench coach.

November 2, 2021: World Series Championship

On November 2, 2021, while serving as bench coach for the Atlanta Braves, Walt Weiss won a World Series Championship after defeating the Houston Astros 4 games to 2.