#RememberThatCub: Shawon Dunston

If you have been a Cubs fan for your entire life and are over the age of 40 then there is no doubt you remember Shawon Dunston.

Chicago Sun Times

In 1982 there was little doubt in any Major League clubs mind that Shawon Dunston was something special. The Cubs showed just how special they thought he was by selecting him with the 1st overall pick in the ’82 MLB Draft.

Dunston a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School became the first New York area player to be selected with the first pick in the draft. In his senior season at Thomas Jefferson, Dunston had a .790 batting average, 10 home runs, and stole 37 bases without a caught stealing in 26 games.

Dunston made his way through the Cubs Minor league system before finally earning a spot on the big league roster in August of 1985 when the Cubs called him up and released their current Shortstop Larry Bowa.

Dunston would never put up Hall of Fame type numbers in his career, but to Cubs fans he was the rocket-armed Shortstop that turned double plays with HOF Ryne Sandberg.

For those too young to remember just imagine a guy with Addison Russell type range with Wilson Contreras like arm but with Rookie type tendencies.

Whitey Herzog said it best,

“In `87, Shawon threw out Vince Coleman on a high hopper. Got him by a half-step. Later, Whitey said, `Now, I know why Dunston was drafted ahead of (Dwight) Gooden. He`s got a better arm.”

Mark Grace who had the unenviable task of catching the throws from Dunston at 1st base had this to say about him.

“A lot his throws are quicker than any pitches I’ve seen this year. I’m talking about guys like Gooden and Todd Worrell. It’s as hard to catch Shawon’s throws as it is to hit those guys.” said Grace

“Last year, I was scared to death. He made one of those bullet throws. Perfect throw. Wasn’t in the dirt, or high. He threw it so hard, it hit me on the wrist. I told my wife, `Look what Shawon did to me.` My wrist was black and blue for two weeks. I can still feel it.”

Dunston would have his struggles at the plate, but a fan helped him find his motivation to be better. At the time Dunston was batting around .200 when a fan in the bleachers showed up with a sign that read “Shawon-O-Meter” with his current average beside it. Dunston took pride in the sign and managed to raise his average to around .270 later in the season.

In 1988 and 1990 he joined teammate and double play partner Ryne Sandberg as an All-Star and also helped the Cubs with their NL East division title in 1989. He may not go down in history as one of the all-time greats in Cubs history, but to Cubs fans from the 1980’s & early ‘90’s he was at times something very special.

You have probably heard the double play combination of Tinkers to Evers to Chance, but from 1987–1997 there was a new trio roaming the friendly confines. Dunston to Sandberg to Grace would be a trio that grew in the hearts of many Cubs fans and still hold a spot there today. At least they do in mine.

If you like hearing stories of past Cubs players then send us a tweet on Twitter @WrigleyRapport with #RememberThatCub with the name of the player you want to read about. Also you can give me a follow @Craig_House3 where I love to interact with my fellow Cubs fans.