After more than two years of discussions between Dawson and the Hall of Fame leadership, the museum’s board of directors unanimously voted to allow a change to his plaque in Cooperstown.

According to the official statement, the new plaque will be completely recast, but with only one change: the hat Dawson wears will not bear the logo of any team.

Hall of Fame board chair Jane Forbes Clark explained that this decision was intended to give Dawson the choice he should have had from the beginning.

“The board unanimously voted to give Andre Dawson the option of having a logo-free hat on his plaque,” ​​Clark said.

According to Clark, this option was only included in the Hall of Fame regulations in 2014, four years after Dawson was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Therefore, when he was inducted in 2010, he did not have the opportunity to make the same decision.

When honored at Cooperstown in 2010, Dawson’s plaque displayed the logo of the Montreal Expos – the team he played for during the first 11 seasons of his career.

Statistically, that choice made perfect sense.

Dawson achieved most of his success in Montreal, including numerous All-Star and Gold Glove awards.

However, for Dawson personally, the story is different.

He has always felt his heart belonged to the Chicago Cubs – the team where he spent the most memorable period of his career.

In a recent statement, Dawson admitted that he has always considered himself a Cub in the Hall of Fame.

“I’ve always felt like a Cub in the Hall of Fame. That’s where my heart belongs.”

Therefore, for many years, he has sought to change the emblem on his plaque.

Dawson first submitted a formal request to the Hall of Fame in 2023, hoping to change the logo on his plaque from Expos to Cubs.

However, changing the team logo on the Hall of Fame plaque is a very sensitive issue.

In the past, the Hall of Fame had to adjust its regulations after controversies arose regarding teams allegedly influencing player selections.

Therefore, the Hall of Fame currently holds the final say on the logo on each Hall of Famer’s plaque.

After much discussion, both sides finally reached a compromise: a logo-free cap.

This allows Dawson to represent his entire career instead of just one team.

A legendary career

Andre Dawson is one of the greatest outfielders of his generation.

During his 21-season career, he achieved:
438 home runs
1,591 RBIs
8 All-Star times
8 Gold Glove awards
1 National League MVP title

Notably, 1987 with the Cubs became one of his most iconic seasons when Dawson won the NL MVP award despite the team not making the playoffs.

In total, Dawson played for four teams:

Montreal Expos
Chicago Cubs
Boston Red Sox
Florida Marlins

But for Chicago fans, he will always be an icon of Wrigley Field.

Dawson said he felt grateful that this decision was made while he was still able to witness it.

He shared that the logo-less cap allows him to honor all the teams that have contributed to his career.

“I am very grateful that the logo-less cap allows me to fairly represent all the teams,” Dawson said.

This decision not only resolves a controversy that has lasted over a decade but also carries symbolic significance regarding how the Hall of Fame views the legacy of players.

In Hall of Fame history, changing a player’s plaque after they have already been inducted is extremely rare.

Therefore, the decision for Andre Dawson is considered a special exception.

It not only reflects respect for the personal wishes of a legend but also shows the Hall of Fame’s willingness to adjust to ensure that baseball history is recorded fairly.

And for Dawson, the story that spanned many years has finally come to a fitting conclusion.

A baseball icon will now be honored in a way that best suits his own heart.