Everything I Need To Learn, I Learned From Andre Dawson

I've been a Cubs fan all my life and being a fan of sports, I can say it is easy to remember the bad moments. I'm sure every Cubs fan can remember the Sammy Sosa "cork-in-the bat" scandal, the Kyle Farnsworth caught-sleeping-in-the-dug-out incident, the Milton Bradley whine-a-thon of last year, and more recently Carlos Zambrano's berating his entire team and getting suspended. It makes you wonder if all baseball players have become classless, overpaid athlethes whose sportmanship abilities have all but flown out the window.

Enter Andre Dawson, who was just inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this past week. Not only was he a respectful and classy guy, but his message was stuff that works not only in the game of baseball but in life as well. I had to share!

"Love the game and it will love you back." -- Apply this to life: Love life and it will love you back. Simple right? Putting it in baseball terms makes it all the sweeter.

If One Door Closes, Find Another One -- When Andre Dawson's contract was up in Montreal, they did not renew it and no other team seemed too interested. Instead of continuing to face a closed door, Andre Dawson wanted to play for the Cubs, so he sent a blank and signed contract to the Cubs manager in Chicago, said this is the team he wanted to play for and he didn't care what number they put down for his salary. This is where he wanted to play. The Cubs signed him and he became one of the most beloved Cubs players ever at Wrigley Field.

Show Thanks -- Cubs fans made a ritual of bowing to Andre Dawson as he ran out onto the field at Wrigley. Andre has since said there are no fans as great as Cub fans and on his last home game, he in turn bowed to them.

You Always Have a Choice -- Andre mentioned briefly about his disappointment in the use of steriods that has plagued the Major League Baseball teams and caused numerous scandals. It is one of the greatest gifts we have -- the power of choice.

Play Hard. Be Thankful. Be Respectful. Love the Game and It Will Love You Back.