May 8 (UPI) -- Hall of Fame outfielder Andre Dawson will be honored on Nov. 14 with the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Legends of Youth Dinner in New York City.
Dawson hit .279 with 438 home runs and 314 stolen bases during his 21-year MLB career. He played 11 seasons for the Montreal Expos, six seasons for the Chicago Cubs, two seasons for the Boston Red Sox and two seasons for the Florida Marlins. The 1987 National League MVP was the 1976 Rookie of the Year, an eight-time All-Star and gold glove winner and a four-time Silver Slugger recipient. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010 on 420 of 539 ballots.
The 18th annual Legends for Youth Dinner, hosted at Capitale, recognizes former major league baseball players for accomplishments in baseball and their off-the-filed contributions. The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) announced Dawson's honor.
"The Hawk" began the Andre Dawson Foundation, Inc. in 1993, catering to Alzheimer's disease and sickle cell anemia. He formed the foundation to commemorate his grandmother, who suffered from Alzheimer's. The foundation also has a scholarship fund. Dawson, 62, was involved in the Special Olympics and helped more children with disabilities through other charities during and after his playing career.
"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," Dawson said in a release. "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."
The Heart and Hustle Award and the Brooks Robinson Community Service Award will also be presented at the annual dinner. The Brooks Robinson Community Service Award is given to a player who embodies dedication and service to his community, while the Heart and Hustle Award is given to an active player who demonstrates a passion for the game and embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game.
"Through his creation of the Andre Dawson Foundation, Inc. and charitable efforts with children with disabilities, Andre is an excellent example of what a Lifetime Achievement Award honoree should be," said Geoff Hixson, the chief operating officer of the MLBPAA. "The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association congratulates Andre on this distinguished honor."
Proceeds from the dinner go to the Legends for Youth Baseball Clinics. Former baseball stars like George Foster, Brooks Robinson, Harmon Killebrew, Orland Cepeda, Tom Seaver and Bobby Grich have participated in past clinics.
