Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 20, 1990 TAG: 9007200007
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHICAGO LENGTH: Medium
The Chicago Cubs outfielder had surgery on his right knee in October 1989. When the cast was removed, "I looked at the leg and tears came into my eyes," he said.
Dawson, the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1987, was determined to come back.
He laughed when he recalled trainer John Fiero looking at the injured leg and saying, " `We've got a lot of work ahead of us.' I said, `What do you mean?' "
The rehabilitation was the most painful experience of his career.
"I had to work hard in the off-season, but the tough part was I couldn't do baseball-related things like running to build the leg up," Dawson said. "The big problem was the pain. I knew once the pain was gone I could get to work."
Most of the pain was gone when Dawson reported to training camp in Mesa, Ariz. But as soon as he started working, he had more pain. There was cartilage damage.
"It would come and go, and finally we got it cleared up, but there was still weakness in the leg," said Dawson, who hit .252 with 21 home runs and 77 RBI in 1989. He slumped to two hits in 19 at-bats (.105) in the National League Championship Series as the Cubs lost to the San Francisco Giants in five games.
At 35, his career was over, some said.
But manager Don Zimmer used him as a designated hitter in some spring games, and Dawson responded.
Dawson is hitting .330 with 19 homers and 62 RBI, but the highlight of his season may have come July 10.
On his 36th birthday and hours before he played in his seventh All-Star Game, Dawson was given a one-year contract extension with an option year.
"A couple of years ago, I felt I was maturing as a hitter and that some of my better years were ahead of me," he said. "Even after the surgery, I never doubted my ability or doubted myself."
by CNB