Andre Dawson
From BR Bullpen
Andre Nolan Dawson (Hawk)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 3", Weight 195 lb.
- School Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
- Debut September 11, 1976
- Final Game September 29, 1996
- Born July 10, 1954 in Miami, FL USA
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[edit] Introduction
Andre Dawson was one of the biggest stars of his era and was the National League's MVP in 1987. Playing 21 seasons in the major leagues, he had 438 home runs, 1,591 RBI, 314 stolen bases, and won eight Gold Gloves.
In 2008, he received 65.9% of the BBWAA vote for the Hall of Fame, with 75% needed to get in.
[edit] Career
[edit] Montreal Years
Andre Dawson was drafted in 1975, and played in 24 major league games in 1976. His stardom rose in 1977 when he became an everyday outfielder for the Expos, and batted .282 with 19 home runs and 21 stolen bases. He was awarded the 1977 National League Rookie of the Year Award, narrowly beating out Steve Henderson of the New York Mets. Dawson had a blend of power and speed, hitting at least 20 home runs in his seven seasons with the Expos, and stealing at least 20 bases in seven seasons. Dawson, playing primarily center field for the Expos, also became an excellent defensive player, gaining his first of eight Gold Glove awards in 1980. Based on his all-around excellence, Dawson was second in the National League MVP voting in 1981 (winner was Mike Schmidt) and second again in 1983 (winner was Dale Murphy).
[edit] Chicago Years
He played for the Expos until after the 1986 season, when he took a pay cut to sign with the Chicago Cubs. Dawson's knee injuries were aggravated by playing on artificial turf in Montreal, and he hoped playing home games on grass at Wrigley Field would prolong his career. Dawson had campaigned for the Cubs to sign him during the offseason, but general manager Dallas Green resisted, insisting that the Cubs would start Brian Dayett in right field (Dawson had moved from center field to right field in his final two seasons as an Expo, due to the condition of his knees), and that one player could not make a 71-91 team a 91-71 team . When the Cubs opened camp in Mesa, Arizona that spring, Dawson and his agent Dick Moss arrived in an attempt to secure a contract with the Cubs. Dawson and Moss' stunt was derided as a "dog and pony show" by Green, who still wouldn't make an offer to Dawson. Two weeks into spring training, Dawson turned the tables on Green and the Cubs, presenting Green with a blank contract. Green filled in the contract with lean figures: a $500,000 base salary with $250,000 in incentives if Dawson made the All-Star team, started the All-Star Game, and won the 1987 National League MVP award.
He did all three, enjoying one of his finest seasons in 1987 in terms of raw statistics.[1] He became the Cubs' starting right-fielder, and hit 49 home runs and was named NL MVP. It was his first MVP award, as he was twice first runner up for MVP with Montreal, in 1981 and 1983. Dawson wasn't able to turn around the Cubs' fortunes: although the Cubs contended for the first half of the season and were even in first place in early May, they finished in last place (76-85) in the National League East.
Dawson played five more seasons with the Cubs, and was one of the franchise's most popular players during that time. His worst individual season came in 1989, when the Cubs won the National League East title. Dawson slumped during the National League Championship Series, hitting .105 as the San Francisco Giants beat the Cubs 4 games to 1.
His .507 career slugging percentage with the Cubs is 4th highest in Cubs history.
[edit] Boston and Florida Years / Career accomplishments
Dawson also played for the Boston Red Sox, and the Florida Marlins before retiring with 2,774 hits, 438 home runs, 314 Stolen Bases, and 1,591 RBI. He is (as of July 2007) 29th on the all-time Home Run list, and 28th on the all-time RBI list. He is one of only six players in major league history to record over 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases in his career (300-300 club). The other players to accomplish this are Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Bobby Bonds, Reggie Sanders and Steve Finley. Dawson is also one of only 3 members of the 400 HR-300 SB club, joining Barry Bonds and Willie Mays.
[edit] Hall of Fame and Accomplishments
In 2007 Hall of Fame voting, he received 56.7% of the vote.
- While an Expo, Andre Dawson hit two home runs in one inning in Wrigley Field on September 24, 1985. When he hit the second one - his third of the game -, the scoreboard operators in center field were so flustered that they initially put the Expos new score in upside down.
- Dawson was a victim of collusion after the 1986 season. After he refused to re-sign with the Expos at a lowered salary, he went to the Cubs in mid-March with a signed contract and an empty dollar amount. Cubs GM Dallas Green filled in $500,000, less than half of his 1986 salary with the Expos, and "The Hawk" responded with 49 HR and 137 RBI en route to the NL MVP award.
- He was beaned in the face by Eric Show in Wrigley Field in 1987. Dawson and 6 other Cubs were ejected in that game. He got over 20 stitches in his face.
- He was a member of the both the 1981 NL East Champion Montreal Expos and the 1989 NL East Champion Chicago Cubs. Both teams failed to reach the World Series, however.
- This meant that when he retired, he held the record for the most career games (2,627) by a player who never played in a World Series. He is now (2007) in second place, behind Rafael Palmeiro (2,831), who played opposite him in the Cubs outfield in 1986 and 1987.
- Dawson has the most Total bases among all eligible players who are not in the Hall of Fame. He is also one of only six players in MLB history with more than 300 career steals and more than 300 career home runs (the others are Willie Mays, Bobby Bonds, Barry Bonds, Steve Finley, and Reggie Sanders.)
- His Main non-baseball hobby is deep sea fishing.
- He now works in the front office of the Florida Marlins
- Dawson's uncle, Theodore Taylor, was a 3B/OF in the Pittsburgh Pirates chain 1967-1969.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1977 NL Rookie of the Year Award
- 1977 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
- 8-time NL All-Star (1981-1983 & 1987-1991)
- 1987 NL MVP
- 8-time NL Gold Glove Winner (1980-1985, 1987 & 1988)
- 4-time NL Silver Slugger Award Winner (1980, 1981, 1983 & 1987)
- NL Hits Leader (1983)
- NL Home Run Leader (1987)
- NL RBI Leader (1987)
- 2-time NL Total Bases Leader (1983 & 1987)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 13 (1978, 1979, 1981-1983 & 1985-1992)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 3 (1983, 1987 & 1991)
- 40-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1987)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 4 (1983, 1987, 1990 & 1991)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1982 & 1983)
| NL MVP | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 1987 | 1988 |
| Mike Schmidt | Andre Dawson | Kirk Gibson |
| NL Rookie of the Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 1977 | 1978 |
| Butch Metzger & Pat Zachry | Andre Dawson | Bob Horner |
[edit] Further Reading
- Danny Gallagher: "Dawson second best Expo ever", in Remembering the Montreal Expos, Scoop Press, Toronto, ON, 2005, pp. 109-113.
