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Andre Dawson should be elected to Cooperstown in 2010, if for no other reason than to make a statement about steroids, human growth hormone, and any of the next generation of performance enhancing substances.

I have read several sports writers that point out that the Hawk's numbers while good are not of Hall of Fame caliber, but it will be hard to deny him admission into baseball's shrine if character is a factor.

Andre had the misfortune to labor on three teams that were either in small markets or were lacking overall talent to make them contenders or both. The Expos, Cubs, Red Sox and Marlins were all benefited by his talent, experience, and the sacrifices he made to play the game. Statistically The major impediments to Dawson's election to the Hall of Fame is his career .323 "on base percentage", a relatively average figure. Others say his years at Wrigley Field were not as good as they should have been because Wrigley is so hitter friendly.

Please! Ernie Banks only hit .274 in his career and it was entirely in Chicago at the friendly confines.

If he had played on a team that would have competed successfully in the post season he would have been elected by 2008. Jim Rice no doubt benefited in the eyes of the Baseball Writers from the recent success of the Red Sox. Andre Dawson's role in the revitalization of the Cubs has not been fully appreciated at this time and hopefully he will not have to wait until the Cubs win the World Series.

The Expos no longer exist. The Expos had one good season: 1981. Dawson had a great year also hitting .302, with 24 home runs. He finished second in the MVP balloting but the Expo's while getting to the playoffs for the first time stumbled losing to the Dodgers. In fact even the Expos appearance in the playoffs was felt to be suspect because the playoff system was changed as a result of the strike shortened split season.

Wrigley Field's right field was blessed in 1987, Andre's first with the Cubs. The fans of the Chicago Cubs knew what they had and getting a seat in right field was as good as any in the house in 1987. Dawson signed for $500,000 and incentives and that year was spectacular as he hit 47 home runs batted 287, had 137 RBIs and won another golden glove award. Andre was voted National LeagueMVP in 1987 even though the Cubs finished last in their division.

All told 438 home runs, 8 all star appearances, 8 Golden Gloves, Rookie of the year in 1977 and that unique MVP for the Cubs in 1987.

Baseball statistics have meaning but their value in the selection of players for the Hall of Fame needs to be tempered these days. What do the numbers produced by Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGuire and others mean when it comes to election to Cooperstown? I think the sports writers need to reject players who obviously benefited from the use of performance enhancing substances and the numbers that were generated by the needle.

Ryne Sandberg at his entrance into the Hall of Fame summarized his feelings about Dawson as follows: "No player in baseball history worked harder, suffered more or did it better than Andre Dawson," Sandberg said of the rifle-armed outfielder. Sandberg continued, "He's the best I've ever seen. I watched him win an MVP for a last-place team in 1987 [with the Cubs], and it was the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen in baseball." Sandberg concluded, "He did it the right way, the natural way, and he did it in the field and on the bases and in every way, and I hope he will stand up here someday."

Learn more about this author, John Asgeirson.
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