Dawson elected to MLB Hall of Fame

Former FAMU and pro baseball star outfielder Andre Dawson has been selected to the 2010 Major League Baseball Hall of Fame Class announced today.

Dawson, who will be enshrined during ceremonies in Cooperstown, N.Y. on July 25, will be the only player inducted this year.

The Miami, Florida native was a standout player at FAMU under legendary baseball coach Costa “Pop” Kittles from 1973 to 1975.

Rattler Field, at the time Dawson was playing at FAMU, was located at the current site of the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center. Dawson, who was known for slugging home runs all the way across Wahnish Way to the Gaither Athletic Center, led the Rattlers in home runs, hits, doubles and runs batted in as a sophomore and junior (1974, 1975).

Dawson, who was drafted by the Montreal Expos following his junior year at FAMU in 1975, spent 11 of his 21 major league seasons with the Expos (now the Washington Nationals), winning National League Rookie of the Year honors in 1977.

He also played professionally with the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and the Florida Marlins, where he now serves as Special Assistant to Marlins’ president David P. Samson.

Dawson left Montreal, signing as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs, during the “Collusion Era,” when major league owners were found guilty of attempting to pay less than fair market value to prime free agents.

He signed a blank contract with the Cubs in 1987, then went on to win the National League MVP Award after crushing 49 home runs and driving in 137 runs. He was also selected to the 1987 National League All-Star team and started the mid-season classic.

Dawson finished his major league career with 438 homers (36th All-Time), with 1,591 RBIs and 314 stolen bases.

He is currently one of only three players in major league history to hit 400 home runs and steal 300 bases, joining Willie Mays and Barry Bonds.

During his illustrious career, Dawson made eight (8) with All-Star Game appearances (1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991), won eight (8) Gold Glove Awards, for outstanding defensive play in the field, along with four (4) Silver Slugger Awards (1981, 1982, 1983, 1987), for outstanding performances at the plate.

Dawson was inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 and was honored with induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.

In January 1994, Dawson was the recipient of The Hutch Award, a Major League Baseball award given to an active player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire to win.

The award was created in 1965 in honor of Fred Hutchinson, the former major league baseball pitcher and manager, who died of cancer in November 1964 at the age of 45.