Andre Dawson belongs in the Hall of Fame, and soon he shall be there.
Today, Dawson gained admission to the holy of baseball holies, receiving 77.9% of the vote (he needed only 75% – total blowout, right?). Dawson will be inducted on July 25 in Cooperstown, and will be joined by manager Whitey Herzog and umpire Doug Harvey. Dawson will be the only player this year, though, because second baseman Roberto Alomar received just 73.7% of the vote in his first year of eligibility.
Dawson’s election was not a surprise; Robbie Alomar just missing out was a surprise. He’ll be fine next year, of course. Unless he finds another umpire’s face.