Seeing the Andre Dawson Glass Half Full

It's been a few weeks now since the Hall of Fame announced Andre would be wearing an Expos cap on his plaque.

From my assessment whether you agree with this decision or not depends on where you hail from. Of course I'm referring to The Hawk's fans in Canada that support the decision and majority of his fans across the US whose fondest memories of Andre were as a Cub not supporting it.

For those who don't support the decision I offer an insight that might help see the glass half full rather than half empty.

It is quite possible that Andre could be the last Montreal Expo to be inducted and that in itself would be pretty cool.

The Expos always had the reputation of developing great young talent only to trade it away or lose them to free agency. Here's a list of former Expos who has or had Hall potential.

Tim Raines - To me he is a Hall of Famer. However, several Hall voters and baseball writers don't see it that way. Raines has been on the ballot three times, netting 24% in votes in 2008, 22.6 in 2009 and 30.4 in 2010. Andre's voting % in his first three years is as follows, 45.3 in 2002, 50 in 2003 and 2004, fairly significant difference in their first three years.*

Vladimer Guerrero - If Vlad can come back from injury and get hot in the sweltering heat of Texas playing for the Rangers he has a real shot of being a Hall of Famer. But will he go in as an Expo or an Angel? My guess would be an Angel. Eight years in Montreal, six as an Angel. His numbers are relatively close in those two spans; however he won the MVP award in 2004 with the Angels.

Larry Walker - Walker played his first six years as an Expo, but the move to Colorado did wonders for his career, not to mention winning MVP in 1997 with the Rockies. Whether he accumulated high enough career numbers for voters is up for debate, which will begin next year his first year on the ballot.

Pedro Martinez - Pitched four years in Montreal and won a Cy Young in 1997. But, only 55 of his 219 career wins came there, plus won one more Cy Young with the Red Sox (1999 and 2000). Is 219 where his win total stops, we'll have to wait and see, but one thing is for sure, he won't wear an Expo hat on his plaque.*

Randy Johnson - Hall of Famer yes, being inducted as an Expo, no. The Big Unit had a very brief stint in Canada, 11 games to be exact between 1988 and 1989.

Andres Galarraga – He spent eight years wearing an Expos cap, but failed to reach the necessary 5% in 2010 to stay on the ballot next year.

I'm choosing to see the glass half full and that Andre might be remembered as the last Expo to be honored by the Hall of Fame. How do you see the glass?

*www.baseball-reference.com

And the 2009 Hawk Award goes to....

The baseball award season is almost upon us. And to celebrate that, I've decided to do it in a truly Andre Dawson for the Hall of Fame manner.

There will be no MVP or Cy Youngs handed out here. No, these are truly unique and distinguished awards. The first annual Hawk Awards are awarded to players whose 2009 performances were reminiscence to some of The Hawk's seasons.


And the first annual Hawk Awards go to...


Zack Greinke, P, Kansas City Royals - For dominating nearly every pitching statistic in the AL this year, while playing for a bottom dweller, similar to what Andre did batting wise with the last-place Cubs in 1987





Evan Longoria, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays - For following up his Rookie of the Year honors in 2008 with an outstanding season, just as Andre did (ROY in 1977). No sophomore slump here





Raul Ibanez, OF, Philadelphia Phillies - For setting a career high in home runs after leaving Seattle, just as Andre did after leaving the Expos for the Cubs in 1987





Bobby Abreau, OF, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - For playing 2009 well under what he is worth ($5 Mil) to be with a team he is passionate about as Andre did in 1987 ($700,000)




Sam Fuld, OF, Chicago Cubs - For his outstanding catches running into outfield walls this summer, reminiscence of when Andre rammed his head into the Ivy brick wall of Wrigley to make a catch





Derrek Lee, 1B, Chicago Cubs - For proving he still got something in the tank when people were beginning to count him out, similar to Andre's difficulty getting signed in 1987 when GMs thought his best years were behind due to his knees





Pablo Sandoval, 1B, San Francisco Giants - For...having the best nickname in baseball, Kung Fu Panda, okay so that doesn't really constitute an award, but I like the guy and the nickname just as I do with Andre




And the life-time Hawk achievement award goes to...it's a tie!


Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees and Randy Johnson, P, San Francisco Giants - For reaching career milestones and well on their way to becoming Hall of Famers like the Hawk will.









And that's the 2009 Hawk Awards. Sorry Milton Bradley, better luck next year!