One of the greatest outfielders in baseball, Hall of Famer Andre Dawson, will be honored with A Scout’s Dream Award for Outstanding Achievement in Baseball History, when the 13th annual Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation’s “In the Spirit of the Game” Fundraiser is held Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Dawson played 21 years for the Montreal Expos (176-86) and the Chicago Cubs (1987-92) and the eight-time All-Star played center field and right field. He finished his career with the Boston Red Sox (1993-94) and the Florida Marlins (1995-96). Another Hall of Famer, Fergie Jenkins, will present Dawson with the honor.
In addition to Dawson, popular television talk show host Larry King will receive special recognition for all he has done for the game and the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation, former Dodgers base-stealing wizard Maury Wills will receive the Player Lifetime Achievement Award.
In the past 12 years many of Major League Baseball’s current and former stars have been among the 1,500 guests attending the affair to assist those scouts who have given so much back to the game. The foundation was started and continues to be led by Dennis Gilbert, who has helped raise over $1.6 million for the scouts.
In addition to his eight-time All-Star honors, Dawson won the National League MVP in 1987 and was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1977. He also won eight Gold Glove Awards and four Silver Slugger Awards during his career.
Dawson had a lifetime batting average of .279 with 2,774 hits, 438 home runs and 1,591 RBIs. He led the league in home runs and RBI in 1987 with 49 homers to go along with 137 RBI. He batted .300 five times, drove in 100 runs four times and had 13 seasons of 20 or more home runs. Dawson is one of eight MLB players with at least 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases during his stellar career. The Montreal Expos retired his number 10.
The “In the Spirit of the Game” event has honored many legendary baseball Hall of Fame players, managers, scouts, coaches and executives, including Willie Mays, Reggie Jackson, Frank Robinson, Dr. Frank Jobe, Al Rosen, Jim Leyland, Johnny Bench, Duke Snider, Sandy Koufax, Vin Scully, Don Mattingly, Bob Feller, Brooks Robinson, Cal Ripken, Jr., Jim Palmer, Ferguson Jenkins, Tony LaRussa, Robin Roberts, Tom Seaver, Joe Garagiola Sr., Robin Yount, Jim Fregosi Sr., Goose Gossage, Whitey Herzog, Eric Gagne, Curt Schilling, Olympic Gold Medalist Jennie Finch, the Boone Family, the Brett family, the Alou family, the Manny Mota family, the Lachemann family, the Tim Wallach family, the Hairston family, Major League Baseball executive Pat Gillick, Tom Werner, the Boeckmanns, Laura Ziskin, legendary baseball scouts George Genovese, Dave Garcia, Hank King, Gene Bennett, Mel Didier, Epy Guerrero, Moose Johnson, Lenny Yochum and the late Bob Zuk.
Tickets and sponsorship packages are available by calling (818) 224-3906.
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