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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presented Baseball Hall of Famer Andre Dawson with the Governor’s Medal of Freedom for his achievements in baseball, contributions to Florida A&M University and impact on the state.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis honored a Florida native and a Baseball Hall of Famer.
On Monday, Oct. 19, DeSantis awarded Andre Dawson the Governor’s Medal of Freedom.
According to the governor’s office, the award recognized Dawson’s distinguished baseball career, his contribution to Florida A&M University and his lasting impact on the state of Florida.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (right) presented Baseball Hall of Famer Andre Dawson (left) with the Governor’s Medal of Freedom for his achievements in baseball, contributions to Florida A&M University, and impact on the state.
“Today, I was proud to present the Governor’s Medal of Freedom to Baseball Hall of Famer and great Floridian Andre Dawson,” DeSantis said in a statement. “His distinguished career in Major League Baseball, his contributions to the sport, and his lasting impact on our state have earned him this award. ‘The Hawk’ has represented Florida in the best possible way for decades. His generous support of FAMU and its baseball program has helped generations of student-athletes succeed. The Governor’s Medal of Freedom is the highest honor I can bestow on any Floridian, and Andre Dawson truly deserves this recognition.”
According to the governor’s office, Dawson was a standout athlete at Southwest Miami Senior High School.
After going unrecruited out of high school, Dawson took on student loans to attend FAMU in Tallahassee and walked on to the university’s baseball team.
His play for the Rattlers earned the attention of Major League Baseball scouts. The Montreal Expos selected Dawson in the 1975 MLB draft.
CHICAGO, IL - CIRCA 1982: Outfielder Andre Dawson #10 of the Montreal Expos bats against the Chicago Cubs during an Major League Baseball game circa 1982 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Dawson played for the Expos from 1976-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Dawson, who was known as "The Hawk," made his MLB debut in 1976 and was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 1977.
UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1982: Outfielder Andre Dawson #10 of the Montreal Expos looks on from the dugout during an Major League Baseball game circa 1982. Dawson played for the Expos from 1976-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
VERO BEACH, FL - CIRCA 1982: Outfielder Andre Dawson #10 of the Montreal Expos bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers during an Major League Baseball spring training game circa 1982 at Holman Stadium in Vero Beach, Florida. Dawson played for the Expos from 1976-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
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Dawson, a right-handed right fielder, played in 21 MLB seasons with the Expos (1975-1986), Chicago Cubs (1987-1992), Boston Red Sox (1993-1994) and his hometown Florida Marlins (1995-1996).
CHICAGO - 1987: Andre Dawson of the Chicago Cubs bats during an MLB game at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois during the 1987 season. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
During his Hall of Fame career, Dawson hit 438 home runs and stole 314 bases to earn a place in the exclusive 300 home run, 300 stolen base club.
COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 25: 2010 inductee Andre Dawson poses for a photograph with his plaque at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 25, 20010 in Cooperstown, New York. Dawson was an eight time all-star during his twenty one year career finishing with 438 home runs, 1,591 runs batted in, and 314 stolen bases.Dawson was also the National League Rookie of the Year in 1977 with Montreal as well as the National League MVP in 1987 with Chicago. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Dawson was enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.
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Away from the baseball field, Dawson continued to support the Florida A&M University baseball program and advanced for student-athletes at historically Black colleges and universities like FAMU.
Getty ImagesJamea Beavers
ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 12: National League bench coach and MLB Hall of Famer Andre Dawson looks on prior to the 2024 HBCU Swingman Classic Presented by T-Mobile at Globe Life Field on Friday, July 12, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamea Beavers/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
In 2018, Major League Baseball renamed an HBCU baseball event, highlighting players who attend historically Black colleges and universities, to the Andre Dawson Classic.
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