Andre Dawson became the 46th former Chicago Cub to be elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame on Wednesday. The Hawk was the only player voted into Cooperstown by the BBWAA this year, which created a ton of controversy throughout the game.
Andre Dawson is a class act and his induction into the Hall of Fame is past due.
Comcast SportsNet will air the Press Conference on Thursday morning at 11:00am CST from New York City introducing Andre Dawson as the newest member of Baseball's Hall of Fame.
Here's more on Andre Dawson by way of video collected from the World Wide Web ... along with a few updates on Cubs with just eight days remaining before the Cubs Convention.
Andre Dawson
There has not been an official announcement on which cap Andre Dawson will wear into the Hall. Many think Dawson will go in as an Expo ... while Dawson hinted on several occasions that he would like to go in as a Cub.
The Hall of Fame makes the final decision on which cap a player wears into the Hall ... with input from the player.
Andre Dawson will be at the Cubs Convention next week.
And one just for fun ...
Andre Dawson's Career Stats from Baseball Reference
Arizona or Florida?
The Cubs are expected to make an announcement by the end of January on which location is their first choice for their new Spring Training home.
According to a report from ESPN Chicago, the Cubs will announce which location they have chosen then tell the other location "to stand by as they try to hammer out a deal for a state-of-the-art facility and entertainment area."
The Cubs met with representatives in Naples last week "to determine if the new project will have the full support of the business community around the proposed site." Crane Kenney is scheduled to have the same meeting in Arizona next Monday and Tuesday before attending the quarterly owner's meetings with Tom Ricketts and Jim Hendry.
A report from the Tribuneindicated that the Mesa officials are expected to announce by the end of the week if they will spend $684,000 to build covered batting cages for Fitch Park.
Stay Tuned ...
Len Kasper on Sports Central
Len Kasper joined Dave Kaplan for the final segment of Sports Central on Wednesday night. With just over a week before the Len and Bob Bash, the television voice of the Cubs discussed where the team stands.
Len likes the Cubs chances in the Central next season. He doesn't think the re-signing of Matt Holliday by the Cardinals guarantees them the division.
Kasper pointed out that the Cubs success in 2010 depends on internal improvement ... especially from players such as Geovany Soto and Alfonso Soriano as well as keeping Aramis Ramirez healthy.
Dave Kaplan mentioned his concern about the Cubs rotation. Kaplan is not sold on the Cubs starters, especially with the question marks surrounding Ted Lilly. Kaplan also brought up the inconsistency of Carlos Zambrano and the fact no one knows how Randy Wells will pitch in his second big league season. Kaplan would like to see the Cubs add another arm to the rotation.
There are options for the starting rotation on the free agent market. Kasper feels there are backend of the rotation pitchers that will sign just before Spring Training ... with some signing minor league deals. Obviously there is not a number one or number two pitcher available according to Kasper but maybe a four or a five.
Len said he knows the Cubs like Tom Gorzelanny and they think he could be their fourth or fifth starter to begin the season. Kasper added that Jeff Samardzija took a step back last season both as a reliever and a starter.
Carlos Marmol will be the Cubs' closer to begin the year. Kasper thinks Marmol will pitch like he did at the end of 2009 in the upcoming season.
The Cubs need Alfonso Soriano to be productive at the plate next season. Kasper feels his knee had a big impact on him last year. He got into bad habits mechanically and could not get out of the funk once it started. Kasper mentioned the fact he does not feel Soriano is a superstar any longer but thinks he can hit 30 to 40 home runs again.
Kasper said the Cubs would like to think Rudy Jaramillo would have a positive impact on Marlon Byrd and Alfonso Soriano.
Marlon Byrd is a good player, not a great one according to Kasper. Byrd will not carry a team but won't kill a team either. Byrd will be a solid addition to the Cubs, especially with the defense up the middle ... where the Cubs more than struggled a year ago.
Both Kaplan and Kasper feel Byrd will be a positive addition to the Cubs, on and off the field. Kasper doesn't think the Cubs will have to worry about Marlon Byrd.
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Well, that's the latest ... and I am sticking to it!
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