Sore-kneed Dawson most proud of his Gold Glove defense
Article By beichenberger.tsn on 7th January, 2010
Bill Eichenberger
Dawson says people only see the glamorous side of baseball and he had a very painful career.
NEW YORK -- The day after being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his ninth year of eligibility, Andre Dawson would have preferred not to talk about the 12 knee surgeries and the physical pain he endured during his 21-season career.
But when asked to elaborate at a news conference at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, he reluctantly painted the grim picture.
"A lot of people only see the glamour side of the game, but I had a very painful career," said Dawson, an eight-time All-Star outfielder who was selected on 420 of 539 ballots cast in voting announced by the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Wednesday. "I had to take medication almost daily to get through those three hours (on the field)."
Dawson said he injured his left knee playing high school football, and it left him with limited range of motion in his left leg. Eleven seasons of playing on artificial turf with the Expos only exacerbated the problem, as both knees wore down and required repeated surgery and rehabilitation.
Because of his knees, Dawson said, "I was usually the first one at the ballpark and the last one to leave. Before the game, I'd go through an ice treatment, some stretching, get both knees taped. After the game, it would be the same scenario."
Those knees prompted Dawson to become a free agent in 1987 and try to find a team that played on natural grass. He said his decision to sign with the Cubs gave him a new lease on life.
"Going to Wrigley Field, playing in the friendly confines amongst the Cub fans, that was amazing," said Dawson, who had his best season that year, winning the NL MVP Award -- the first member of a last-place team to do so. "That really rejuvenated my career at a time when I...
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But when asked to elaborate at a news conference at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, he reluctantly painted the grim picture.
"A lot of people only see the glamour side of the game, but I had a very painful career," said Dawson, an eight-time All-Star outfielder who was selected on 420 of 539 ballots cast in voting announced by the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Wednesday. "I had to take medication almost daily to get through those three hours (on the field)."
Dawson said he injured his left knee playing high school football, and it left him with limited range of motion in his left leg. Eleven seasons of playing on artificial turf with the Expos only exacerbated the problem, as both knees wore down and required repeated surgery and rehabilitation.
Because of his knees, Dawson said, "I was usually the first one at the ballpark and the last one to leave. Before the game, I'd go through an ice treatment, some stretching, get both knees taped. After the game, it would be the same scenario."
Those knees prompted Dawson to become a free agent in 1987 and try to find a team that played on natural grass. He said his decision to sign with the Cubs gave him a new lease on life.
"Going to Wrigley Field, playing in the friendly confines amongst the Cub fans, that was amazing," said Dawson, who had his best season that year, winning the NL MVP Award -- the first member of a last-place team to do so. "That really rejuvenated my career at a time when I...
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