COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) is pleased to announce that Hall of Famer Andre Dawson will be honored with the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award at the 18th Annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York City.
The event, which will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Capitale, recognizes former Major League players for their accomplishments on the diamond coupled with their off-the-field contributions to communities across the nation.
Dawson, nicknamed "The Hawk," was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010 as an eight-time All-Star, eight-time Gold Glove Award winner, four-time Silver Slugger Award winner and the 1987 National League MVP. Dawson also led the National League in total bases two times and collected 2,774 hits during his 21-year career. While still actively playing the game, Dawson began the Andre Dawson Foundation, Inc., which caters to Alzheimer's disease and sickle cell anemia. The foundation, which was formed to commemorate his late grandmother who suffered from Alzheimer's, also has a scholarship fund. In addition to his foundation, Dawson has also worked with the Special Olympics as well as other charitable efforts benefiting children with disabilities.
"This is a sort of achievement that I'll put up there with everything else -- the Hall of Fame, being able to be in that elite group," said Andre of being named an honoree. "Anytime you're recognized by an organization and by your peers and it has significant value behind it, it puts a smile on your face."
MLBPAA chief operating officer Geoff Hixson said that he is delighted to honor Dawson's accomplishments with a 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award.
"Through his creation of the Andre Dawson Foundation, Inc. and his charitable efforts with children with disabilities, Andre is an excellent example of what a Lifetime Achievement Award honoree should be," Hixson said. "The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association congratulates Andre on this distinguished honor."
The 13th annual Heart and Hustle Award will also be presented at the Legends for Youth Dinner, given to an active player who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game.
MLBPAA allocates proceeds from the dinner to the Legends for Youth Baseball Clinic series. The Legends for Youth program is a series of free baseball clinics designed to provide children with positive role models, teach young players baseball fundamentals and promote the game of baseball. Former players, such as George Foster, Bobby Grich, Ferguson Jenkins, Brooks Robinson, Harmon Killebrew, Orlando Cepeda and Tom Seaver, have participated in past clinics.
To purchase a table or tickets for the Legends for Youth Dinner, please contact Nikki Warner, director of communications, at [email protected] or visit www.baseballalumni.com.