Andre Dawson was an eight-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glover. (Tribune file photo)
By Phil Rogers
Andre Dawson was one happy former Cub on Wednesday.
A jump of 59 votes from 2009 got Dawson into baseball's Hall of Fame in his ninth year on the ballot. Dawson, the only player elected this year, was thrilled.
"The wait isn't a big factor in the scheme of things,'' Dawson said. "You get frustrated when people say, 'When are you going to get in,' and you don't have an answer for that. As I sit here now, I think it was well worth the wait. ... One thing my mama always said is it's going to happen one day, just be ready when it happens.''
Dawson, who finished 44 votes short a year ago when Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice were elected, was named on 420 of 539 ballots in this year's Baseball Writers Association of America election -- good for 77.9 percent of the vote.
Dawson played with the Cubs in 1987-92, winning NL MVP honors in '87. He was an eight-time All-Star and won eight Gold Gloves. But because he never played on a World Series champion, little in baseball made Dawson happier than his election to the Hall.
Dawson was almost joined by two others. Pitcher Bert Blyleven received
400 votes, only five less than needed, and first-ballot candidate and
former White Sox second baseman Roberto Alomar was named on 397
ballots, eight short. That suggests that both will be elected in the
future, most likely in 2011.
"This is a beautiful day for Andre Dawson,'' Blyleven told the MLB Network. "I'm surprised Roberto Alomar didn't make it. Hopefully my time is coming."
Alomar was followed by pitcher Jack Morris with 282 (52.3 percent). Cincinnati shortstop Barry Larkin was on 278 ballots (51.6 percent), followed by reliever Lee Smith at 255 (47.3 percent) and Edgar Martinez at 195 (36.2 percent).
"I feel disappointed, but next year hopefully I make it in," Alomar said from his home in New York. "At least I was close."
Mark McGwire received 128 votes (23.7 percent), 10 more than last year and matching the total from his first two times on the ballot.
Dawson came to Chicago in grand fashion, giving the Cubs the chance to sign him for a blank check after he languished on a free-agent market that was later judged by an arbitrator to have been manipulated by owners. He was among the players receiving damages from those collusion findings.
Dawson becomes the 46th Cub elected to the Hall of Fame. This will mark the fifth induction in the last seven years with a Cubs connection, following the election of Dennis Eckersley in 2004, Ryne Sandberg in '05, Bruce Sutter in '06 and Goose Gossage in '08.
Dawson will be inducted July 25 at Cooperstown along with manager Whitey Herzog and umpire Doug Harvey, elected last month by the Veterans Committee.
Former White Sox icon Harold Baines can take some stock in remaining on the Hall of Fame ballot for the fifth year. He received 33 votes, which was 6.1 percent of the ballot. Five percent is necessary to stay on the ballot.
Robin Ventura (7 votes), Ellis Burks (2 votes) and Eric Karros (2 votes) were on the ballot for the first time, and didn't receive enough support to return to the ballot in 2011.
"This is a beautiful day for Andre Dawson,'' Blyleven told the MLB Network. "I'm surprised Roberto Alomar didn't make it. Hopefully my time is coming."
Alomar was followed by pitcher Jack Morris with 282 (52.3 percent). Cincinnati shortstop Barry Larkin was on 278 ballots (51.6 percent), followed by reliever Lee Smith at 255 (47.3 percent) and Edgar Martinez at 195 (36.2 percent).
"I feel disappointed, but next year hopefully I make it in," Alomar said from his home in New York. "At least I was close."
Mark McGwire received 128 votes (23.7 percent), 10 more than last year and matching the total from his first two times on the ballot.
Dawson came to Chicago in grand fashion, giving the Cubs the chance to sign him for a blank check after he languished on a free-agent market that was later judged by an arbitrator to have been manipulated by owners. He was among the players receiving damages from those collusion findings.
Dawson becomes the 46th Cub elected to the Hall of Fame. This will mark the fifth induction in the last seven years with a Cubs connection, following the election of Dennis Eckersley in 2004, Ryne Sandberg in '05, Bruce Sutter in '06 and Goose Gossage in '08.
Dawson will be inducted July 25 at Cooperstown along with manager Whitey Herzog and umpire Doug Harvey, elected last month by the Veterans Committee.
Former White Sox icon Harold Baines can take some stock in remaining on the Hall of Fame ballot for the fifth year. He received 33 votes, which was 6.1 percent of the ballot. Five percent is necessary to stay on the ballot.
Robin Ventura (7 votes), Ellis Burks (2 votes) and Eric Karros (2 votes) were on the ballot for the first time, and didn't receive enough support to return to the ballot in 2011.
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Boy I hope this doesn't mean that you are not broadcasting Sox games anymore.
Congrats Hawk!
I saw Dawson go 5 for 5 (cycle included) and throw the Giant's pitcher out (force play) at first after what was supposed to be a base hit. Evidently the Bull dropped the ball, but the ump didn't see it and the runner was called out (justice for doggin it).
I think Maddux pitched that game.
As a life long Cardinals fan I do have to say this is fantastic, even though it is late coming. "The Hawk" was a great ball player. He was the only thing that the Montreal Expos had for years. And the Cubs treated him well. His play was exciting and brought joy to his fans and struck fear into the opposing teams and their fans every time he walked to the plate. Unlike some of todays players, he came to the park did his job and went home. He was a great player, great role model for the kids, and provided quality entertainment for the fans. Way to go HAWK!!!! Congrats!
People like Kurt and Bob S. need to go back to the stats to see what Dawson did. Dawson deserved this title!!!!!!!!
I'm not a baseball historian, not a stat guy, but a loyal Cub fan, who became a fanatic one after Dawson joined the Cubs. For those few years there, he was just a phenomenal, all-around player who dominated. "Awesome Dawson" was what a Sports Illustrated writer called him in a feature. Hope and suspect he'll go in the Fame as a Cub. Bravo, Hawk!
So the Cubs had two Hall-of-Famers (Sandberg) in the lineup at the same time? What the heck happened?
Congratulations from a long time fan who has endured the many heartaches of close but no cigar years. Now I have the greatest poster a Chicago Fan can have; Jordon-Payton-Dawson all three in the HOF on the same poster!
Andre who?
I caught homerun #390. A line drive, I can still remeber it hurting like hell,,,, He sure could crush the ball and had a Bazooka for an arm.... And to you guys that start throwing up numbers. Get over it... Andre was a COMPLETE 5 tool guy, not a dh. Thats why he's going in. Thats why Ryno went it... They were complete ball players. They could beat you with their offense and shut you down with their defense. Congrats Andre
Anyone remeber Hawk's staredown then charge to the mound after Padres' pitcher Eric Show pitced one into Hawk's mouth? Scariest staredown ever!
Hawk deserved this.
one of 3 guys IN BASEBALL HISTORY to have over 300 HR's and 300 SB's - that's awesome.
When a ball was hit to right field (throughout his long career), with a baserunner possibly attempting to move on him, the anticipation was akin to Devin Hester getting ready to receive a kickoff in '06. It was your full attention because a very exciting moment was about to happen. It's what spectator sport is all about.
OK, lame, jealous, loser WSox fans, you're right : his OBP sucked, but how many HOF's had ZERO weaknesses? Virtually none.
Way to go, Hawk!
Not that great of a player? How about:
314 steals
8 gold gloves
4 silver sluggers
8 times top-10 in slugging
10 times in the top-10 in total bases
6 times top-10 in the league in OPS
He also had one of the best arms of his generation
I'd LOVE to hear your definition of a good baseball player.
BTW, as a Cub fan I do believe Baines should be in based on stats alone. But the Hall has a weird thing about guys who predominately were DH's. I say he gets in one day simply because as time goes on there are going to be more full-time DH's coming up for consideration. Pretty soon they will start getting in.
If I were going to elect a career DH to the HOF, it would be Edgar Martinez before Harold flippin' Baines...
Andre Dawson = 8 GGs
Harold Baines = 1600+ games (10 full seasons!) as a DH
One of three players with at least 400 homers and 300 stolen bases...
Bonds, Mays, and Dawson
A ROY, an MVP, and 2 2nd place finishes in a career affected and shortened by playing on Montreal concrete...
He's absolutely deserving and anyone who doesn't believe so didn't watch his early years BEFORE the 87 Cubs...
I never regarded Dawson as all that great of a player. He had three good seasons...'82 and'83 and his best...in '87. The rest of his years were average. He, in my mind, is remembered at swinging at the worst pitches..I mean pitches that skimmed the ground. How can any MLB player have that bad of an eye for a ball and make it to the Hall. Maybe it's me...but I say he didn't earn it.
KAG:
Harold Baines HOF worthy? WHO ARE YOU SH**TING?
OMG another southsider got a pc for Christmas.
Check out Baines stats before you make foolish comments.
Hits: Baines 2866, Dawson 2774.
Rbi: Baines 1628, Dawson 1591
Avg: Baines .289, Dawson .279
Except for a few steroid suspects, every HOF eligible player with more hits and more Rbi is in the hall.
Too bad Baines didn't get to play on the superstation and have an old drunk babble on and on about him. If guys like Dawson and Tony Perez are in the hall then Baines should be as well.
It is way overdue and I am so happy for him and his family. I hope that they enjoy each moment of all of this. Because whereas the moment he knew that he was elected right up to the time that he gives his speech and is "in" are fleeting, the honor will last forever. Congrats, Hawk. I tip my (Cubs) hat to you but whatever hat you wear you will ALWAYS be a Hall of Famer and fans of the Cubs, Expos and anyone who ever had the honor to watch you play with all you had day in and day out will always love you.
Go Andre! What about Ronnie? Whoever wrote about a world series was right. If the Cubs won in '69, a couple of names would have been given their due.
Andre Dawson was a borderline candidate at best. Why are there so many Cubs that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame in recent years? How is it possible that so many "great" players could be on so many horrible teams that often ended last in the division rankings? Could it be that these players, such as Dawson truly were all-time greats, or could it be instead that these good players simply put up great stats because they played at one of the best hitters' ballparks in the majors?
The only players truly deserving of entry this year were Alomar and McGwire. Alomar will have to wait a year or two because he spit in that umpire's face even though he has the stats to get in. McGwire will have to wait until the voters stop holding the steroid era against him. Speaking of McGwire, are the voters also going to blackball other players who probably juiced, such as Jeff Bagwell?
Scott,
You are a idiot. Name a better Cub hitter than Frank Thomas in his prime other than Ernie Banks. Though so. And Shoeless Joe was innocent. If the Sox would have been disbanded, then Chicago would still be waiting for a fricken World Series title. You and I are going to go our graves still waiting for the Cubs to win it all. Wait till next year, Scotty. Wait till next year.
And exactly how many White Sox players in the Hall of Fame lead the White Sox to the World Series? And let's not forget, that your best player of all time isn't in the Hall of Fame because he played a key part in trying to destroy the game itself. Why the league just didn't disband the White Sox after they almost ruined the game in 1919, I'll never know.
Another Cubs player elected to the HOF without taking the Cubs to the World Series.
This is long overdue. I've never seen a right fielder with a gun for an arm like Dawson. He could also crush the ball in a roid-free era. Congrats Hawk!!
Dawson has a lifetime OBP of .323! Scott Podsedik only needs one more year to be eligible and with his .340 OBP he's a lock! Just another example of baseball ignorant voters, nothing new here but he was one of the top 10 Expo players of all time.
You know he took steriods!
Boy I wish he was still a cub so he could teach the
over priced, underachieving, squad they now have about
charachter,sacrifice,and acting like men. Way to go Hawk!
Quiet, unassuming, and talented as all get out! I can envision that stare when gunning for a baserunner attempting to run on him, or when at the plate, focusing on the opposing pitcher. Showing my age, but always reminded me of Roberto Clemente. Class and grace, personified! Congrats, Hawk!
Wow! Alomar is within spitting distance of the Hall of Fame.
The writers decided to balk
At Alomar's Hall of Fame lock;
He's in spitting distance
But voter resistance
Came down to enshrining The Hock.
News Short n' Sweet by JFD8
http://twitter.com/JFD8
Andre -- I am so happy for your well-deserved honor. I am 62 years old, been a Cub fan my entire life, and cannot remember a player of your class, dignity, and talent. Bless you always.
You knew after Rice got in last season that Dawson would finally get elected. This is awesome! He was my hero growing up and I loved watching him play the field and hit. Congrats Andre.
What a great day. I am so happy for Mr. Dawson. Very much deserved.
I applaud Dawson. The Jermaine Dye of his time.
My favorite Cub in the 31 years I've lived here. Was in RF bleachers when he threw out that runner at first. What a gun! A runner at first advancing on a single would go to the base and just stand there, wouldn't take the turn for even a step. Class, class act. Congrats.
This is a no-brainer. Dawson deserved to be there--he's a total class act.
Congratulations to Andre Dawson on being the ugliest hall-of-famer until the far, far uglier Randy Johnson is elected.
Nice guy but a 323 OBP and 480 Slugging percentage are not hall-of-fame worthy. Dawson is greatly over-rated based on his personality. Ron Santo and Harold Baines seem more deserving. But at least Dawson was pretty classy...
I wish Andre Dawson were able to read all these posts. What a class act he was--showing up to play every day, even on a bad leg. Fabulous work ethic, great example for youngsters everywhere.
Congratulations Hawk, and God bless you.
I too saw him gun down a runner at third with a throw from deep right. The ball bounced under and padding on the 1st base side and died. He had run,pick it up and throw. It looked like it was on a rope all the way to third.
I traveled from Salt Lake City to Chicago and to spring training each year hoping to speak to him, but never got the chance until he walked up to me at the Salt Lake City airport in the off season. I was a gate agent and he was flying to Chicago...I looked up and just said, "Mr Dawson". He was kind and took some time to sit and talk ball with me that night in the boarding area. What a great man.
As a note... I checked in Mark Grace also traveling SLC to ORD one night just before spring training in 1990 I think. I upgraded him to first class from a rotten coach seat. He was enjoying a cold beer when I went to dispatch the flight. I told him I would be in Phoenix to watch him in a couple of weeks...he said he'd leave me tickets at will call. Yeah, you can guess what happened...I walked up to the very busy window and proudly announced that Mark Grace had tickets there waiting for me... the agent just said "nope"...then "next in line"! I'm still waiting to run in to Grace again..
Anyway...congrats Andre. You the man.
I once caught a Dawson BP home run ball...as an Expo...it still is the thrill of my life! Good for you Hawk!
BEST Right Fielder the Cubs....no, CHICAGO has EVER seen. Class act all the way.
one of the greatest Cubs to ever be lucky enough to wear the uniform.
Congrats Hawk, you deserve it!!!!
Here to help and worship the Cubs
Lady Nada
Who were among the 23% who didn't give Dawson the well-deserved nod? It's too bad modern-day MLB stars, oftentimes, lack the rare combination of skill and integrity that were hallmarks of his great career. Hearty congratulations, Andre!
I recall Dawson throwing out a runner at first base when the runner didn't leg out a base hit. Simply amazing!
Andre Dawson had the most intimidating game face and swing of any player I've ever seen. I congratulate Hawk with my swammee, we're not worthy, salute!
I wish I could have hit half as well in the clutch as Hawk did!
I watched him as an Expos and am delighted be made it into the hall...Merci Andre!
I had the honor of meeting Hawk at the Fan Fest in St. Louis this past summer with my 7 year old son. He was gracious enough to stand and take a picture with my son. I told him he's a major reason I'm a Cubs fan. What a class act and I'm so happy he made it! It restores my faith in the Hall voters. Now, about Ronnie.....
It's about time! Congrats Hawk!
Gosh, Steve, would you believe that Dawson spelled backwards is...N-O-S-W-A-D? How about that?
Very Cool....congrats Andre!
Congrats Hawkaroo. You can put it on the board YES!
A warm summer afternoon at Wrigley with Harry's Holy Cow after Hawk blasted one was so wonderful. Congrats.
Seems like only yesterday when I took my two sons to sit in the bleachers at Wrigley to watch Andre Dawson in right field. Congratulation Hawk. You deserve the honor.
Gaylord Perry used more spit in his career than I did and he's a cheater, he's in the HOF and I'm not, what a bunch of bulls**t.
Andre was the best ever. Congrats on this well-deserved honor, Andre. It was a total pleasure watching you play every day.
FINALLY!!!
Bud Selig on January 6, 2010 1:39 PM
How on earth does the best 2nd basemen ever not get elected in? What an f'n joke.
----------------------------
Maybe you missed it like you missed the whole steroids thing, Bud, but Rogers Hornsby was indeed elected.
In 1942.
Dawson was perhaps the most talented player of his generation. If he had played in Chicago his entire career (or any other decent baseball town with a decent playing surface) he would have been a no-brainer first-ballot HOFer.
.
Congratulations, Andre Dawson!!
Henry Hill - As a lifelong White Sox fan, I have to correct you: Carlos May did not play right field; he played left field. After losing his right thumb during his service with the National Guard, he was shifted to first base, then to designated hitter. Had he not suffered that terrible accident, he could well have been one of the truly great hitters of his generation.
Dawson was perhaps the most talented player of his generation. If he had played in Chicago his entire career (or any other decent baseball town with a decent playing surface) he would have been a no-brainer first-ballot HOFer.
.
Congratulations, Andre Dawson!!
Henry Hill - As a lifelong White Sox fan, I have to correct you: Carlos May did not play right field; he played left field. After losing his right thumb during his service with the National Guard, he was shifted to first base, then to designated hitter. Had he not suffered that terrible accident, he could well have been one of the truly great hitters of his generation.
Can't wait to see that blue and white pinstriped #8 flag flying high on the foul pole at Wrigley along with all the other retired numbers. You definately deserve your place up there among the Cub greats.
I'm just thrilled. This is long over due. Yes, Hawk was a monster with the Expos. How many times did Raines leadoff and be driven home by Hawk. However, I think Hawk should go in as a Cub. No disrespect to Expos fans if there're any still out there, but Hawk Deserves the love and appreciation that visiting Cubs fans will shower on his accomplishments. The player deserves the notoriety of a living legacy. If the Expos were still around, I might feel differently.
Go Hawk,
This is great news... Mattingly 2011!
Why the hell did they not mention my name. Did I get skipped again? Son of a .....
Congrats.......A truly deserving player........And Roberto Alamar? Thug?......He deserves to be in to......
Steak, dinner, boom anyone? I'm waiting!
Congratulations to Andre Dawson! Long overdue recognition for a classic "five-tool" ballplayer. He did it all, with grace and dignity.
Isn't Roberto Alomar the one that spit in some umpires face and told him to stop crying over his dead son when he was called out on a play? And he played for the White Sox? Good grief.
Andre Dawson deserved this honor. I hope he goes in as a Cub.
I hate to mention his name here along with one of the greats like Hawk but Milton Bradley I really hope you're paying attention, this is what you get when you go out and bust your a** and play as hard as you can, you go out and respect the fans everytime you're on that field and they respect you in return, you don't complain about everything. You're a lost cause, you could learn quite a few things from Andre. Hawk you're the best. Congratulations.
Man, this just bites the burner. No Santa, No Justice. I will continue my boycot of the Hall of Shame until Santa is in.
The best RF to ever play in Chicago was Carlos May; but he played on the wrong side of the tracks.
MVP on a last place team...even Banks didn't do that. Congrats on the HOF....can't wait for the speech, more humility I'm sure.
Congratulations to a great player and even better person.
Summer of '87, when I was eight years old, Dawson won the NL MVP playing for an awful Cubs team. I have been a life long baseball fan (mostly thanks to my grandfather) and will always consider The Hawk to be my favorite player. A humble and hardworking individual, whose utter refusal to take the game (and his abilities) for granted, continues to inspire a positive example for fans and athletes alike. In the contemporary, celebrity-driven, context of the televised baseball world, Dawson is beacon of how a sports persona can still present himself. Congrats Hawk, you deserve your induction.
Andre, Awesome!
HAAAAAAWK! Congratulations to #8!
How on earth does the best 2nd basemen ever not get elected in? What an f'n joke.
Never a Cubs fan but I can't believe it took this long. Dawson was an absolute beast at the plate AND in the field. Well deserved and earned.
Congrats Hawk!! He was a true gentleman and a real class act. I remember waiting outside of the Cubs parking lot for player autographs some years ago, and a team employee went to the fence to see who we were still waiting for. We said "Andre", and he told us he was standing in front of the stadium as we speak. Of course we said no, but he reminded us that we didnt see him yet,to go take a look.
We ran as fast as we could, and sure enough, he was there, leaning up against a pay phone, waiting for a ride to get him. He graciously signed balls, cards, hats, stubs, whatever we had. We just stood there watching him breathe, cause it was ANDRE DAWSON!! by himself, with no entourage, just him and his bag. His ride came, he said bye, and he left. We were fans before this, and we definitely decided he was our favorite cub from that day forward.
Would hope he'd go in with a Cub hat on, even though his best years came with the Expos. MLB may push him to go in as an Expo, but i'm hoping it's as a Cub. Why Blylevin hasn't made it with his stat sheet boggles my freakin mind. Hopefully, hopefully next season. And finally, i'm certainly glad that Roberto the spitter Alomar wasn't a 1st time electee, as that would have been a travesty.
As a Sox fan, I'm happy to see the Hawk make it. He more than deserves to be in the HoF. Way to go Hawk!
Awesome Dawson!!!! Love it!!!!
Hope he goes in as a Cub (this coming from a Sox fan) but I can understand if he wore a Expo cap. A great player and a classy guy. Congratulations AD, a true Chicago star.
He goes in as an Expo. 11 years played there.
Way to go Hawk. I think some people forget about his abilities on the defense. He was a great two-way player and a clutch hitter.
I saw the Hawk gun down a runner at 3rd, no hop, and I swear the ball couldn't have gone higher than 6 feet in the air the entire way. What a gun! And what a bat! Congrats HAWK!!!
It was enjoyable to watch Andre Dawson play the game. An all-around class act.
Well deserved. Dawson was a great outfielder despite bad knees that needed to be drained on a regular basis.
Never whined or bragged. Always a class act.
He had 438 home runs and 314 steals; Barry Bonds and Willie Mays are the only others in the 400-300 club.
Dawson finished with 2,774 hits (more than Ted Williams and Billy Williams), 1,591 RBIs (more than Willie Stargell and Willie McCovey) and 438 home runs (more than anyone eligible for the Hall except Jose Canseco, Dave Kingman and Mark McGwire). There are 18 players eligible for Cooperstown who have 1,500 RBIs and 400 homers, and they are all in. There are 11 eligible players with 2,700 hits, 1,500 RBIs and 400 homers. They're all in.
Congratulations to The Hawk! It's about time!
Dawson was a great player, that is why Ron Santo should get into the Hall of Fame too. Maybe the old timers can get him in this year.
Congratulations to Andre Dawson, but why has Ron Santo repeatedly been overlooked?
real home runs based upon real work ethic. a true ballplayer.
even when cub teams were lets say less than perfect the Hawk was always someone Cub fans could be proud of and he did it without drugs he did it with hard work and God given talent way to go Hawk it's about time you were given your due
Congrats Hawk you deserve it, a great player and an all around class act who played the game the right way. So proud of you.
No player has played harder in Chicago
way to go hawk.
Congrats to the Hawk. Well deserved.
Sammy, McGuire, Bonds, etc... they've got nothing on The Hawk. A real power hitter sans juice.
Best ballplayer I have ever seen. And he did it au naturale.
Congratulations to a terrific player, great teammate and overall wonderful guy. What wonderful news.
Way to Hawk! This honor is well overdue.
An overdue and well-earned honor.
Now let's just hope someone at the Hall of Fame doesn't decide he should wear an Expos hat on his plaque!
Hopefully Dawson will follow Ryne Sanberg's lead in calling for Ron Santo to be elected too!
is he going in as a cub?