Andre Dawson To Wear Montreal Expos Cap In Hall of Fame.

by Ed Chigliak on Jan 27, 2010 6:45 AM EST Comment 13 comments

According to a report by Chicago Tribune writer Jeff Mitchell in an article entitled, "Andre Dawson to enter Hall of Fame as Expo", former Expos, Cubs, Red Sox and Marlins' outfielder Andre Dawson will be going into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the Montreal Expos. The 21-year veteran who spent 11 seasons in Montreal will join Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter as the only two Expos elected to the Hall in spite of the fact that Dawson reportedly told the same Chicago Tribune writer after the announcement of his induction that he, "...would prefer to go in as a Cub."

In an early January article by Chicago Tribune writer Paul Sullivan entitled, "Dawson awaiting decision of Hall of Fame cap...", Dawson was quoted as stating that he, "...knew 'in (his) heart of hearts' which cap he would like to be wearing, but declined to identify the team."

Dawson, along with Tim Raines, Larry Walker and one day when he hangs them up Vladimir Guerrero are probably the last four players who could possibly enter the Hall as Expos. New York Times' writer Tyler Kepner, in an article entitled, "Montreal Expos, Forgotten by Many, Are Reuniting in Cooperstown", quoted Dawson's Montreal teammate from 1976-1984, Gary "The Kid" Carter saying, "...he hoped Dawson would go in as a Cub so an existing organization could celebrate his career. If that happens, Carter is prepared to carry the (Expos) banner alone." It won't be necessary for Carter to go it alone, however, as Dawson is now a member of the Montreal Expos for posterity.

Dawson played 21 seasons total in the Majors, (11 in Montreal, 6 in Chicago, 2 in Boston and 2 in Florida) collecting a total of 2,774 hits, 503 doubles, 98 triples, 438 HR's, 1,591 RBI's, 314 steals, a .279 CBA, one Rookie of the Year award, (ROY-1977), 8 All-Star appearances, one NL MVP award, (NL MVP- 1987), and he appeared on nine Hall of Fame ballots before finally winning election to the Hall this year.

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I'm not surprised

It’s my first post here at Federal Baseball. As a Cubs fan, I hoped he would go in as a Cub. Maybe this will help get some wheels in motion about the great number retirement controversy.

And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.

by Ace Venom on Jan 27, 2010 1:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe the Cubs wouldn't still retire his number...

He’s probably more well-known as a Cub just because of the history in Chicago as opposed to Montreal, but Dawson was an Expo…(at least in my mind!)

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Jan 27, 2010 2:25 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I don't have a doubt that they will retire the #8 for Dawson in Chicago

The story that was released was probably an attempt to sway the Hall of Fame, but I don’t see them not doing it anyway. It didn’t stop them from also retiring #31 for Greg Maddux even though he will go in as a Brave.

And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.

by Ace Venom on Jan 27, 2010 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

YEAH!

Dawson going in as an Expo at least proves that the Hall of Fame cares more about the Montreal Expos than Major League Baseball does (in terms of preserving history). I’m ok that Dawson wanted to be a Cub in the Hall, but I’m glad he didn’t get to make that choice. Too many hits, HRs and accolades in Montreal, not just a free MVP award like the one in Chicago. Six Gold Gloves with the Spos, and helped lead the team to its only postseason? Yeah, he’s an Expo for life.

WOHOO!

by Andrew Davidson on Jan 27, 2010 3:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't know about you but......

It just amazes me how these two ex-Expos players want nothing less than to be forgotten by the organization that helped groom them into great players. It’s not like Dawson won’t be able to show up for Old timers Day in Chicago or Carter can’t show up for Met events. For God sake its just a logo on a cap!! Un-freakin’ believable……….Kudos to the hall of fame for making the right choice and the choice was made to remember a great franchise that produced so many great players that it is mind boggling!! If they could have kept some of those teams together there would have been a dynasty north of the border……..

by gospos1 on Jan 27, 2010 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think it's that they want nothing to do with Montreal...

I think it really has to do with the Expos being gone and in most places forgotten long before they ever left Montreal…I think Dawson can surely go to Chicago and celebrate, but it is different when say Ripken goes in as an Oriole, he’s your player in the Hall…I don’t know…I’m just glad one more Expo ensured the memory of Montreal will survive as long as the Hall does…

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Jan 27, 2010 5:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I know what you are saying Ed.....

but it just seems like these guys are embarrassed to go in as Expos. They are now part of baseball history and so are the Montreal Expos…….

by gospos1 on Jan 27, 2010 6:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I suppose I hold a minority opinion among Cub fans...

but I think it is fitting that Andre Dawson is going in as an Expo. I think some Cub fans are losing sight of the fact that the truly important thing is that Dawson got to the Hall of Fame, not which cap he’ll be wearing.

As a person who enjoys history, I wish the Nationals front office would acknowledge and incorporate some Expos history into Nationals. I realize the Nationals are the latest chapter in DC baseball, but they are also the former Montreal Expos.

"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"--The Brain

by brook on Jan 27, 2010 8:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Vivent Les Expos Longtemps!!!

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Jan 27, 2010 9:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well said Brook!!

Tri-color hat with a curly W baby!!!

by gospos1 on Jan 27, 2010 9:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't disagree here

We hoped that he would go in representing the Cubs, but we know he’s in the Hall of Fame. Now I think the Nationals front office could find a good compromise when it comes to the retired Expos numbers and the history of Washington baseball. In addition to two Expos Hall of Famers, there are three Hall of Famers from the original American League Washington Senators known primarily as Senators: Walter Johnson, Goose Goslin and Sam Rice.

Walter Johnson did not play at a time when there were uniform numbers, but Rice and Goslin did. Goslin had two later stints with the Senators where he wore two different numbers: #5 (1933) and #20 (1938). Sam Rice ended his Senators career wearing the #22 for those final two seasons after wearing the #2 in 1931. It could be reasonable to retire Sam Rice’s number in addition to re-retiring the old Expos numbers because another professional sports team has established this precedent: the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA.

The Hornets retired the #13 for Bobby Phills when the team was still the Charlotte Hornets. Rather than reissue his number when they moved to New Orleans, the franchise kept it retired. They also opted to recognize the history of New Orleans professional basketball by retiring the #7 for Pete Maravich, who played with the New Orleans Jazz. It’s a completely feasible solution for the Nationals to retire Sam Rice’s number to recognize a past legacy as well as three W’s for Goslin, Johnson and former Senators manager/owner Clark Griffith. It would preserve the legacy of the Expos while recognizing the connection to Washington’s professional baseball past.

And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.

by Ace Venom on Jan 27, 2010 10:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs