Andre Dawson National Baseball Hall of Famer
Andre Dawson was the only electee for the National Baseball Hall of Fame. After 8 years, Dawson’s time has come. Inching out Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar, the outfield has taken his spot as a Hall of Famer.
Taking 77.9 percent of the vote from the Baseball Writer’s Association of America, he received more than 10% more of the vote than he did last year. Most of his career has been tainted with injury to his knees, but his 9th try at the Hall of Fame was a charm.
"It was well worth the wait. I can't really describe the elation when my family and I got the call, " said Dawson. The induction ceremony will be on July 25, 2010 in Cooperstown, New York. Dawson will stand with manager Whitey Herzog and umpire Doug Harvey, elected by the Veterans Committee in December.
It was a close call with Blyleven, his 13th try, finishing just five percent short of Dawson with 74.2 percent, and Alomar with 73.7 percent of the vote. Alomar actually received the most votes that a first year candidates ever received without getting in. Considered one of the top second basemen of his time, he was just 8 votes short of the goal. To come so close is probably harder than a wider margin. But there is always next year.
Other first time contenders included Barry Larkin, former Reds shortstop, with 51.6 percent, Mariner’s designated hitter, Edgar Martinez, with 36.2 percent and first baseman, Fred McGriff, with 21.5 percent. Only four first-timers will be back on the ballot next year.
Writer’s Association of America (BBWAA) gives players 15 years of eligibility on the Hall of Fame ballot, following a five-year waiting period upon retirement. This will be the third time in the last 5 years that the BBWAA has chosen to elect just one player. It's also the third time since that an inductee has had ties with the Cubs.
Dawson with 438 homers and 1,591 RBIs for four teams, played his first eleven seasons with the Expos and his next six with the Cubs, but has never been a member of a team that made it to the World Series. The decision of which cap to wear on his Hall of Fame plaque will be made by Hall of Fame officials in conjunction with Dawson himself.
"On behalf of the entire Florida Marlins organization, I would like to congratulate Andre on his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame," Loria said in a statement. "His many years of hard work and dedication have earned him his rightful place in Cooperstown.
Dawson is a hero to most of his teammates for struggling through difficult knee injuries to not only play the game well, but to play superbly. Having the ability to get past any obstacles that stood in the way, gave him the edge that now makes him a Hall of Famer.
Below is the list of how each player stacked up in points and percentages. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, the athlete must make the 75% cutoff. As you can see, Andre Dawson is the only one who made it. The top three were very close, all in the 70% range.
To be on the ballot, a player has to receive at least a 5% or higher vote and has 15 years, starting at 5 from when he retires, where he can be on the BBWAA ballot. This years, eleven retired players, Andres Galarraga, Robin Ventura, Ellis Burks, Eric Karros, Kevin Appier, Pat Hentgen and David Segui. Mike Jackson, Ray Lankford, Shane Reynolds and Todd Zeile, didn't make that cut and won’t be on the ballot next year.
Andre Dawson
420
77.9%
Bert Blyleven
400
74.2%
Roberto Alomar
397
73.7%
Jack Morris
282
52.3%
Barry Larkin
278
51.6%
Lee Smith
255
47.3%
Edgar Martinez
195
36.2%
Tim Raines
164
30.4%
Mark McGwire
128
23.7%
Alan Trammell
121
22.4%
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