Andre Dawson NL MVP Award (1987)

Lore & Background

Dawson won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1987 after leading the league with 49 homers and 137 RBI. He was the first player to win a league MVP trophy from a last place team. He had been runner-up for the award in both 1981 and 1983.

In Their Own Story

Under the floodlights of Wrigley, the air grew heavy with anticipation as Andre Dawson stepped into the box. His right leg was encased in a brace that creaked with every shift of his weight, and thick ice packs were often visible beneath his uniform when he adjusted his stance. Pain radiated through his thigh with every movement, yet he locked eyes on the pitcher with unwavering focus. The swing connected with a sharp crack, launching the ball toward the bleachers. As he began the trot to first base, dragging his injured leg through the dirt, the roar from the stands shifted from excitement to reverence—a collective acknowledgment that they were witnessing something far greater than a home run.

Reader's Guide

Dawson was an 8-time National League All-Star, won the Rookie of the Year in 1977, and won eight Gold Glove Awards. He is one of eight MLB players with at least 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases during his career. He set Expos franchise records for career games, at bats, runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, runs batted in, extra base hits, total bases, and steals, all of which have since been broken. In 2010, Dawson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Did You Know?

• Dawson's nickname, 'The Hawk', was given to him by an uncle at a very early age.
• Dawson was the first player to win a league MVP trophy from a last place team.
• He hit two home runs in the same inning twice: at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium on July 30, 1978 and at Wrigley Field on September 24, 1985.