Report: Andre Dawson to re-join Cubs organization |
Is the Hawk back?
Former 8-time National League All-Star and Hall of Famer Andre Dawson is reportedly re-joining the Cubs organization after being let go by Derek Jeter and the Miami Marlins this offseason. Dawson, Tony Perez, Jeff Conine, and Jack McKeon declined recently their smaller roles with reduced salaries with the Marlins. USA Today's Bob Nightengale has the latest on Dawson joining the North Side. "The Miami Marlins loss is the Chicago Cubs gain as HOF Andre Dawson, one of classiest men in MLB, about to officially rejoin organization," Nightengale posted. Dawson is meeting with the Cubs CEO Tom Ricketts on Monday to find a role with the team as he could be used in the front office as a special assistant or an ambassador type role. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010 during his ninth year of eligibility. The Hawk, Willie Mays, and Barry Bonds are the only players in baseball history to have 400 homers and 300 stolen bases. Former Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg urged Dawson's induction into the Hall of Fame during his induction in 2005. "No player in baseball history worked harder, suffered more or did it better than Andre Dawson," Sandberg said. "He's the best I've ever seen. I watched him win an MVP for a last-place team in 1987, and it was the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen in baseball. 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." During his six-years with the Cubs, Dawson hit .287 with 174 homers. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award last week by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.
