The 2007 Andre Dawson Award Winners - Carlos Pena and Miguel Cabrera
Posted by: Richie Rich in Andre Dawson, Cubs, Devil Rays, Marlins
Twenty Years Ago (in 1987) Andre Dawson was named the Most Valuable Player of the National League.
Before the 1987 season, Dawson (a free agent) had made it clear that he wanted to play for the Cubs because they played day baseball and had natural grass at Wrigley Field. The Cubs didn’t seem interested (because they had Brian Dayett slated to play RF) so Dawson basically forced the Cubs to sign him when he handed them a signed blank contract right before Spring Training which the Cubs filled in the numbers at a base of $500,000 with $250,000 in incentives.
A quick look at his stats from that season (.287 Avg, .568 Slg, 49 HR, 137 RBI) say that he was worthy of the honor.
But the most fun fact about that MVP season is that Dawson was the first player in Major League Baseball history to win a league MVP award while playing for a last place team (the Cubs finished a staggering 18.5 games behind the Cardinals). In 2003, Alex Rodriguez became the second man to accomplish this feat (with the Texas Rangers).
Ironically, the Cardinals had two MVP candidates in 1987 (Ozzie Smith and Jack Clark) Dawson’s great season (and his gesture to play for whatever the Cubs wanted to pay him) and the split of the St. Louis vote for NL MVP left Smith and Clark #2 and #3 in the MVP voting.
So, in honor of that special season, Home Run Derby presents the Andre Dawson Awards - given to the Most “Valuable” Player on a last place team in each League. Because these guys deserve an award for having fabulous seasons while their teammates couldn’t do anything to support them.
The 2007 AL and NL Andre’s go to ….
American League - CARLOS PENA, Tampa Bay Devil Rays (66-96)
148 G, .282 Avg, .411 OBA, .627 Slg, 1.037 OPS, 46 HR, 121 RBI, 99 R, 30 WS
Starting the 2007 season with a low one-year $800,000 contract with $400,000 in incentives, Pena is the true embodiment of the Andre Dawson Award.
The American League Comeback Player of the Year was THE reason to watch the Devil Rays this season (other than watching to see what Elijah Dukes, Carl Crawford or Delmon Young might do next), as they finished 30 games behind the Red Sox in the AL East.
National League - MIGUEL CABRERA, Florida Marlins (71-91)
157 G, .320 Avg, .401 OBA, .565 Slg, .966 OPS, 34 HR, 119 RBI, 91 R, 30 WS
Another stellar player on a last place expansion team in Florida. What are the odds?
Miguel Cabrera has been the marquee name in South Florida since the Marlins won the 2003 World Series (in his rookie season). Okay maybe Dontrelle Willis gets some hype too.
Cabrera continues to be a stud for Florida, despite a meek supporting cast and finishing 18 games behind Philadelphia in the NL East. Mind you, Cabrera has been getting paid pretty well by the Fish (One-year contract, $7.4 million in 2007).
In case you’re wondering, here’s the full list of Andre Dawson Award winners (twenty years worth from 1988-2007) as compiled by Home Run Derby.
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