Dawson, sports legends in Schaumburg for celeb softball game

Baseball fans spent as long as three hours under the bright summer sun at Alexian Field in Schaumburg hoping to grab a glimpse of Hall of Famer Andre Dawson.

The seats filled with Cubbie blue, loyal to the former Cubs right fielder who over the weekend earned his plaque in Cooperstown, N.Y.

"There's a lot of people. Too bad we can't accommodate them all, you know," Dawson said.

The Flyers said 4,008 tickets were sold for Wednesday's game. Yes, there was also a contest between Joliet and the Flyers. But Wednesday's main attraction was an autograph session featuring Dawson and other former Major Leaguers that took place beyond the left field fence.

The star power included Dawson's former manager Don Zimmer and teammates Dwight Smith and Jerome Walton. Smith, known as an aspiring singer during his playing days, even performed the national anthem before the ex-players took the field, donning Zubaz, for a celebrity softball game.

There were a couple of Montreal hats worn by fans waiting in line. Andrew Yankee, 10, from Palatine, wore a hat with the old Expos logo while shaking Dawson's hand.

"It was really cool," the youngster said.

Even though he said he wanted to be enshrined in the Hall as a Cub, Dawson's plaque depicts him wearing a Montreal hat, where he spent most of his career.

The Montreal franchise has since moved to Washington, where on Aug. 10 the team will honor Dawson with a ceremony. Though he shares a special connection with Cubs fans, he's said he'll appreciate the love in D.C.

"Personally, it's a huge honor and gesture on their part," Dawson said. "I'll welcome and appreciate it whatever it is they have in store. I don't know, we'll wait and see."

While most in line wore smiles, not everyone was happy. As with many autographs sessions, problems arose.

Autograph collectors were irked when they found out the players were restricted to signing only the $5 program being peddled at the game. Many brought bats, balls and photographs hoping for a signature.

Some traveled from Minnesota and Detroit, not interested in the Cubs mystique, hoping the non-Cubs players would sign the memorabilia. They left Schaumburg frustrated and unhappy, wishing the Flyers would have clearly listed the restrictions on a sign or on the team's website.

As with other sessions, player availability was limited.

That wasn't the only bit of disorganization. Bill Rancic, reality star of T.V.'s "The Apprentice," had his name spelled incorrectly on his softball jersey.

Under the tents where the signings took place, the players reunited and shared stories with each other and the fans. Roselle's Bob Norton wasn't afraid to let Hall of Famer Gary Carter know how he felt about the former Mets backstop.

"I never liked you, you know," Norton told Carter. "You know what put you in the Hall of Fame? Wrigley Field."

Carter and Zimmer, who was sitting next to Carter both laughed. Norton then eyed Zimmer, who watched much of Carter's success from the dugout at Wrigley.

"You know what I'm talking about," he said.

Zimmer reunited with some of the 1989 Cubs team he led to the National League Eastern Division title. He even ribbed Smith, who got to the event a little tardy.

"Dwight Smith is late? That's unusual," he said.

Walton, who won the NL Rookie of the Year in 1989, said Dawson showed veteran leadership and taught him a lot.

"I had tears in my eyes," Walton said of when Dawson was inducted. "He had been gone for so long, it was great. It was time for him to get in."

Some chatter focused on Chicago's fan base and their loyalty.

Carter, who started his career in Montreal, said players may converge next year to celebrate the Expos' 30-year anniversary of the franchise's only divisional championship.

"But you'll be getting paid in Canadian dollars," former Cub Bill Madlock interjected.

Even former Bears defensive lineman Steve McMichael had an opinion, saying there should be a ceremony for Dawson in Canada.

"I don't know the Canadian baseball fan; it's hockey country," Mongo said.

The Flyers are going through an ownership change that hasn't been finalized. They announced the event in February.

While "Cheers" star George Wendt and former pitcher Dwight Gooden couldn't make the game, the lineup was stacked. Vida Blue, Lee Smith, Dale Murphy, Bruce Sutter and Gary Sheffield attended. At the autograph table former Cubs first basemen Bill Buckner and Leon Durham were seated next to each other.

Stars: Some unhappy players couldn't sign items