Shawon Donnell Dunston (born March 21, 1963) is an American former professional baseball player.

As a youth, he lived in the Linden Apartments, a public housing facility, with his father, Jack, mother, Brenda, and younger sister, Kindra.

[1] In his senior season at Thomas Jefferson, Dunston had a .790 batting average, 10 home runs, and stole 37 bases without being caught stealing in 26 games.

[2] Dunston competed with Larry Bowa for the role as the starting shortstop for the Cubs in spring training in 1985.

Due to become a free agent after the 1991 season, Dunston instead signed a four-year, $12 million contract to remain with the Cubs without testing the open market.

As a result, he signed with the San Francisco Giants for the 1996 season, receiving a one-year contract worth $1.5 million.

[15] On July 23, 1998, the Indians traded Dunston, José Mesa, and Alvin Morman to the Giants for Jacob Cruz and Steve Reed.

Dunston became a free agent after the season and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on a one-year contract worth $500,000.

He seldom walked, so in spite of his batting average, his on-base percentage was the second-worst among players with at least 4500 plate appearances during their careers.

"[22] Dunston was known, especially early in his career, for his unusually strong throwing arm at the shortstop position.

Dunston became eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008; 75% of the vote was necessary for induction, and 5% was necessary to stay on the ballot.