I don’t think any of us should be totally surprised, but it’s still fairly disappointing to learn that Andre Dawson will not be a Chicago Cub in the Hall of Fame.
Dawson sent a text message to the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday night saying: “Hall will issue a press release [Wednesday] announcing that I will go in as an Expo.”
Dawson spent the first 11 seasons of his career in Montreal, winning Rookie of the Year in 1977. He hit 225 of his 438 career homers with the Expos. He also showcased more of a speed game in Montreal, registering 253 of his 314 career steals.
But it was in Chicago that Dawson became a household name. He handed the Cubs a blank contract in 1987 as a free agent and signed for $500,000 with $250,000 in incentives. He proceeded to bat .287 and led the league in homers (49) and RBIs (137), while winning MVP, a Gold Glove and going to the All-Star Game. ESPN Chicago.
Dawson had publicly stated that he would prefer to be a Cub in the Hall, but the decision, in the end, was not solely his to make.
The league probably figures the Expos need the merchandising boost more than the the Cubs do.
Snap.
The right choice.