Children of The Marlins Diaspora 11

Andre Dawson, OF

Played for Marlins: 1995-1996
Other Teams: Montreal (1976-1986), Cubs (1987-1992), Boston (1993-1994)
Marlins fans know him because: He's The Hawk. Unlike most other children of the diaspora, Dawson ended his career with the Marlins, having already made a name for himself. He is now a special assistant in the Marlins' organization.
Everyone else knows him because: Dawson was one of the most feared players in baseball from the late-1970s through the 1980s, winning Rookie of the Year in 1977 and MVP in 1987, a year in which his salary was only $500,000 when he was forced (by collusion) to sign a blank contract with the Cubs. Dawson was one of three players (Willie Mays and Barry Bonds were the others) to hit 400 home runs and steal 300 bases in a career. Dawson was elected to the Hall of Fame this week, in his ninth year of eligibility.
Best Marlins moment: Though he did not play on a World Series winner, Dawson did receive a World Series ring for his work with the Marlins front office during the 2003 season. That's the best I got...

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Congrats Hawk

Congratulations to Andre Dawson on his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Though statheads (rightfully) note that his OBP is not quite on par with most Hall-of-Famers, I still think he deserved inclusion based on his excellent defense and power hitting (Joe Posnanski's take on Dawson hit the nail on the head, I think).

By virtue of his two years spent as a role player on the Marlins, the Hawk becomes the first child of the Marlins Diaspora to make the Hall of Fame. Something tells me he won't have a Marlins hat on his plaque in Cooperstown, but that'll have to do until Gary Sheffield makes the Hall (a man can dream, can't he?). Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that fellow Expo Tim Raines deserves to join Dawson in the Hall. The prospect of two players who spent a majority of their careers in Montreal before finishing as members of the Florida Marlins was apparently too much for the baseball gods to allow this year. Hopefully Raines makes it in the next few years. Same goes for Barry Larkin, Bert Blyleven, and Roberto Alomar.

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