Someone named David Kull, who does not have a Hall of Fame ballot because he's an editor, writes that while Dawson was a great player, he doesn't deserve to be in Cooperstown (or at least the museum in Cooperstown):

"... Not every great player is a Hall of Famer. I believe the Hall of Fame should be reserved for the truly elite, the best of the best. With Dawson, I only have an issue making the leap from "great" to "elite." Sure, there are several Hall of Famers with inferior ability and numbers. While that seems unfair to Dawson, that doesn't mean one should automatically admit him for comparison's sake. On his own "Hawk" falls short of garnering my vote -- for what it's worth."

In other words, "I'm not going to give you any concrete reasons the Hawk shouldn't be in. I just don't think so."

Mr. Kull also stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Phil Rogers rebuts in the same feature:

"... Dawson had 16 straight years with 45 extra-base hits, a run worthy of guys like Henry Aaron, Stan Musial, Willie Mays, Mel Ott and Honus Wagner. His 2,774 career hits are the most of any eligible player not in the Hall. Dave Winfield, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, had 3,000 hits and a World Series ring but never finished in the top two for MVP honors. Dawson won an MVP and finished second twice. It's time to remember just how great of a player he was."

Yeah. What he said.

Labels: Andre Dawson, Chicago Cubs, Phil Rogers