ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, August 15, 1996 TAG: 9608150054
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: MIAMI
SOURCE: Associated Press
Standing at a microphone to bid baseball goodbye, Andre Dawson uncharacteristically choked up in the clutch.
Dawson held a news conference Wednesday to confirm he will retire at the end of the season, and the words didn't come easily for the 42-year-old Florida Marlins outfielder. He rubbed his eyes, sniffled, sighed and stopped several times to regain his composure, once pausing for more than a minute.
``I shocked myself,'' Dawson said later with a smile. ``It just wouldn't come out. That's when I knew I was in trouble.''
The announcement hardly was a surprise; Dawson said in July he expected to retire this year. Now on the disabled list with inflammation in one of his long-troublesome knees, he hopes to play at least one more game.
Despite 12 knee operations, Dawson, a probable Hall of Famer, has spent 21 years in the major leagues as one of his generation's greatest talents. He has 437 home runs and 314 stolen bases, making him one of four players with more than 300 homers and 300 steals. The others are Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonds.
Dawson, who has won six Gold Gloves as a right fielder, will travel with the Marlins for the rest of the season.
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Dawson. KEYWORDS: BASEBALLby CNB