‘The Hawk’ to Attend and be Honored at 25th Annual Cubs Convention
Former Cub outfielder Andre Dawson was today elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
Dawson appeared on 77.9 percent of the ballots submitted by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Dawson is the 46th former member of the Cubs organization to earn Baseball’s highest honor.
He is scheduled to attend the 25th annual Cubs Convention next week at the Hilton Chicago.
“The Chicago Cubs congratulate Andre Dawson on his long-deserved election to Baseball’s Hall of Fame,” said Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts. “‘The Hawk’ registered six outstanding seasons on the North Side, none finer than his 1987 MVP season when he paced the league with 49 home runs and 137 RBI.
“An eight-time All-Star and Gold Glove Award winner, Andre created countless memories for our fans and, along with fellow Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, helped bring playoff baseball to Chicago in 1989. We look forward to celebrating Andre’s election with him and our fans when he attends next week’s Cubs Convention.”
“Andre was one of the elite players of my era,” said Sandberg. “Not only was he a terrific player, but his work ethic, his character and the way he played the game of baseball was very deserving of this honor bestowed upon him today.
“On the field, Andre was a five-tool player with one of the best arms in the outfield that I’ve ever seen. His stolen bases combined with his home run totals are certainly Hall of Fame numbers. He represented the teams that he played on with class and always had a team-first attitude.”
A member of the Cubs for six seasons from 1987-92, Dawson batted .285 with 174 home runs and 587 RBI in 867 games with the club. He ranks 11th in team history in home runs and sixth with a .507 slugging percentage (minimum 3,000 plate appearances).
Dawson recorded his lone Most Valuable Player campaign in his first season with Chicago, batting .287 with 49 home runs and 137 RBI, falling only a batting title shy of the Triple Crown. He also led the National League in total bases (353) and ranked third in extra base hits (75) en route to his first of five All-Star appearances with the Cubs (also 1988-91). Dawson also won his first of two Gold Glove Awards with the Cubs in 1987 (and again in 1988). He also won a Silver Slugger Award in 1987.
The remainder of the attendees for the 25th anniversary Cubs Convention will be announced next week.