Andre Dawson
| Birthdate | 7/10/1954 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1976 |
| Year of Induction | 2010 |
| Teams | Cubs, Expos, Marlins, Red Sox |
| Positions | Center Field, Right Field |
One of 8 players with 300+ HRs and 300+ stolen bases, Andre Dawson was an 8-time All Star. Click here to see his video shutout to this website.
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Andre Dawson found it thrilling to appear on his own baseball card
Andre Dawson found it thrilling to appear on his own baseball card
After winning the Rookie of the Year Award in 1977 Andre Dawson followed with a solid 1978 campaign, hitting 25 and stealing 28 bases. Before the next season Dawson signed this contract with Topps on February 28, 1979.
He finished ’79 in the NL’s top ten in total bases, runs batted in, and stolen bases. Overall “The Hawk” would tally more than 400 homers and 1500 RBI on his way to a Hall of Fame career.
Click here to see a video of Andre Dawson speaking about this website and the thrill of being on a baseball card.
Andre Dawson was one of the most productive hitters of the 1980s.
Andre Dawson was one of the most productive hitters of the 1980s.
Andre Dawson played the first 7 years of the 1980s with the Montreal Expos and the final three of the decade with the Chicago Cubs. By the time the decade was over, Dawson tallied 290 homers, 895 RBI, and a 128 OPS+.
The decade saw him earn 8 Gold Glove Awards, 6 All Star appearances, four Silver Sluggers, and an MVP Award.
Before the start of the 1982 season Andre Dawson received this check from the Major League Baseball Players Association for the sum of $2,527. A nice chunk of change for the 27-year old outfielder.
The check has the stamped signature of labor leader Marvin Miller and features Dawson’s signature on the endorsement on the reverse of the check.
Dawson endorses the MLBPA check on the reverse
Dawson endorses the MLBPA check on the reverse
It appears Dawson took this check to the bank and requested $1,300 in cash while getting a cashier’s check for the balance. The 1982 season was an All Star and Gold Glove year for The Hawk.
Dawson played 11 years in Montreal, totalling 225 homers and 838 RBI for the Expos. His finest years were from 1980-1983. In those four seasons he amassed 29 WAR. His OPS+ was 140. This put him on the path to Cooperstown.
Known for his poise and quiet class, Dawson was beloved by teammates in Montreal, Chicago, Boston, and Florida.
A 21-year old Greg Maddux defended Dawson after a beanball from Eric Show
A 21-year old Greg Maddux defended Dawson after a beanball from Eric Show
According to Rick Sutcliffe, Greg Maddux chose a beanball over the big leagues. Maddux’s Cub teammate from 1986-1990, Sutcliffe tells a great story about Maddux’s 24th career game.
The Cubs faced off against the Padres on July 7, 1987 at Wrigley Field.
“Greg Maddux was pitching that day and he’d been told before the game that if he doesn’t win, he’s going back to the minor leagues,” Sutcliffe explains.
In the top of the fourth Chicago’s Andre Dawson was hit by a fastball up and in.
“I remember Eric Show was pitching and hit Andre right in the face,” Maddux recalled. “Hawk was our main guy. I remember him laying there right on home plate kind of knocked out. Then he came to and spit a bunch of blood on the plate and then he started looking for Eric Show.”
After a bench-clearing brawl, Sutcliffe said he found the 21-year old Maddux and had a chat.
“I said, ‘Hey, here’s what you’re doing. You’re going to go get three outs, you’re going to get the win and then in the sixth inning you do whatever you want.’ He looked at me and went, ‘No’. He goes, ‘I’m hitting the first guy.’
“I said, ‘If you don’t get three outs, they’re going to send you to the minor leagues.’
“And with tears in his eyes he said, ‘I don’t care if I get another win.’
“And I’m getting goosebumps right now. I can still see his face.”
San Diego’s Benito Santiago led off the top of the next frame.
“He hit him,” Sutcliffe continues. “He got sent down to the minors and I think he had the minimum 15 days or whatever it was. He was back in the big leagues and he never saw that minor league bus again after that.”
Maddux had no regrets.
“I certainly would’ve lost a ton of respect if I didn’t hit anybody,” Maddux said later. “That was way more valuable than any win I could have ever gotten.”
It’s an inspiring story to be sure.
Shown here is Greg Maddux’s autographed Topps card from 1987, the same year the incident went down.
Andre Dawson climbed up the all-time leaderboards as his career wound down
Andre Dawson climbed up the all-time leaderboards as his career wound down
Hall of Fame outfielder Andre Dawson had a long and productive career. He hit 20 or more homers in 13 seasons and 30 or more in three seasons. His career high of 49 came in his MVP year of 1987.
As his 21-year career came to a close, Dawson climbed the all-time lists making his way to Cooperstown. In the collection is Red Sox manager Butch Hobson’s lineup card from June 25, 1994. Hobson who signed the bottom of the card, penned Dawson’s name in cleanup spot as the Boston designated hitter.
Hawk had a great game amassing 10 total bases. He went 4-for-7 in the 12-inning contest, swatting two homers and a double. The second of his home runs was #426 of his career, tying him with Hall of Famer Sweet Swinging Billy Williams.
