Bill Madden of the New York Daily News writes that the Hall of Fame election is going to be worth a little bit of money to Andre Dawson:

His value just increased threefold and he can count on making millions in autograph signings for the rest of his life.

"I've always said making the Hall of the Fame is worth a minimum of a million dollars," said Alan (Mr. Mint) Rosen, the renowned "Million Dollar Dealer." "To begin with, guys who were getting $10 per autograph, as Dawson was, immediately jump to $40, but then you have to take into account the greatly increased demand for his autograph. Once you're in the Hall of the Fame there are hundreds of thousands of collectors who have to get your signature on their Hall of Fame pieces — photos, balls, bats, plaque cards whatever. It doesn't matter what uniform you're in on your plaque. All that matters is you're in."

How much more will he be paid?

If he hasn't already, Dawson will quickly find out from his fellow Hall of Famers how the road to Cooperstown intersects with Easy Street. For example: Goose Gossage went from getting $3,000 an appearance as a perennial also-ran on the Hall of Fame ballot to $25,000 an appearance after he was elected, as his autograph increased from $10 to $50.

I have a baseball somewhere at my parent's house with Andre Dawson's signature on it. It's available to the highest bidder, with the starting asking price at $175,000.

It's a really nice baseball.