1985 Andre Dawson Rawlings Gold Glove Award

Sold For:

$7,200

Year:

1985

Auction:

2020 Summer

Lot #:

2000

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, which is presented annually to the top Major League fielder at each respective position, is perhaps the most visually impressive of all individual baseball awards. Few examples ever come to the marketplace, let alone those of Hall of Fame players. The offered Rawlings Gold Glove Award example was presented to Hall of Fame outfielder Andre Dawson 1985. The award features a golden right-handed fielder's glove and two golden baseballs mounted atop a wooden base. Affixed to the base is a plaque picturing Dawson, beneath which is a second plaque reading, "1985 Rawlings Gold Glove Award - Presented To - Andre Dawson - Honoring His Selection to The Sporting News National League All-Star Fielding Team." The Rawlings logo appears on either end of the second plaque. The Gold Glove Award, which was established in 1957, is one of only a few major awards issued annually to Major League players in recognition of individual achievement. Because of its significance, nearly all previously issued Gold Glove Awards remain in the possession of the respective player and/or his family. Therefore, few examples can be found in private collections today. The offered award is especially desirable given the status of the recipient. Andre Dawson made his Major League debut in 1976 with the Montreal Expos and the following season he was named the National League Rookie of the Year. For the next 19 seasons he was one of the game's top players, excelling at both the plate and in the field. An eight-time All-Star, Dawson finished his career with 438 home runs, 1,591 RBI, and a .279 lifetime average. Among his individual achievements are an MVP Award, four Silver Slugger Awards, and eight Gold Glove Awards. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2010. This particular 1985 award was the sixth of the eight Gold Glove Awards presented to Dawson. The award displays light-to-moderate wear, including a small chip/crack to the rear left corner of the base, and a few heavy abrasions/cuts to one of the baseballs. In Very Good to Excellent condition overall. The opportunities for collectors to acquire Gold Glove Awards are few and far between, especially those awarded to Hall of Fame players. This is an extremely desirable example and the first we have offered in the past 10 years. The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot. Reserve $2,500. Estimate (open).