Sneed: Could Andre ‘The Hawk’ Dawson be the new Mr. Cub?

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Hey! Hey!

It has been seven months since Ernie Banks, the legendary Mr. Cub, died.

So?

We all know Chicago Cubs fans cherish their past — and it’s pretty obvious the loss of Cubs ambassador/Hall of Famer Ernie Banks has left a big void in the world of Cubbie baseball banter and bluster.

So?

Now that the Chicago Cubs are making what everybody believes is a run at the playoffs with this exciting new team, who is going to be the Cubs’ biggest booster?

Who will represent Banks’ famous “Let’s play two” rallying call that made you want to hit Wrigley Field even if the Cubbies weren’t winning?

So?

Who is going to represent the Cubs and their pulsating past now that the ineffable Banks is gone?

So?

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Choosing a Baseball Hall of Famer makes sense.

And the Cubs’ living Hall of Famers include Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins, Greg Maddux, Ryne Sandberg and Andre Dawson.

So?

Williams and Jenkins already work for the Cubs — and are already team ambassadors representing the team of 50 years ago. Sandberg’s failed attempts to be hired as team manager could wind up becoming Cubs baseball baggage.

So?

There is one name that really makes sense. It’s the Hawk! Andre “The Hawk” Dawson, who played from 1987 to 1992 . . . a star when the team made the playoffs in 1989.

Sneed hears the Cubs recently looked into purchasing Dawson’s MVP award after the team learned the former outfielder was hoping (via a report in the Sneed column) it would be bought by the Cubbies.

But the award had already sailed into an auction bidding war and purchased by someone else for nearly $118,000.

• The downside: Dawson, who loved his years with the Cubs, is now an employee of the Miami Marlins and lives in Florida with his wife and family.

So Sneed gave the Hawk a call and asked if he’d ever consider returning to Chicago as the new Mr. Cub.

“First of all, nobody could replace Ernie Banks,” he said.

“And considering my current position, I wouldn’t want to jeopardize it.

“But I’ve learned never to close the door on any opportunity, although I’ve heard nothing from Cubs management or hierarchy in particular . . . although I have heard speculation to a degree. I have strong ties and fond admiration for the organization.

“I’m happy to be able to still have a foot in the game and happy to be doing it here [with the Marlins].”

“But my six years in Chicago were my fondest memories and I’ll never forget how the city embraced me. The fans allowed me to relax and enjoy the game.”

So?

“Andre Dawson is an amazing man,” said a Cubs source.

“His presence could put the team in perspective and fill in the blanks representing the Cubs years during the late 1980s and early ’90s. The team made the playoffs in 1989. We don’t have a link to a more recent class of Hall of Famer. Andre took everybody’s heart back then.

“Ernie Banks was wonderful, gregarious, one-of-a-kind . . . but Andre has a wonderful kind of charisma and is a great family man. Tom [Ricketts] and his brother and sister are great fans of Andre and would go to see him when he played for the Cubs back then.”

Well, well. Do tell. Maybe it’s time to stir up a little Kickapoo joy juice for da Cubs to fuel a winning streak.

The ZIP code diva . . .

Two Chicago ZIP codes are in the top 30 donating to Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid, according to a report in Politico.

They are 60611 and 60614, the home of Lakefront Liberals.

Sneedlings . . .

Congratulations to Tony Hammer and Susan Berman Hammer on their 40th wedding anniversary . . . Saturday’s birthdays: Jennifer Lawrence, 25; Ben Affleck, 43, and Joe Jonas, 26 . . . Sunday’s birthdays: Steve Carell, 53; Madonna, 57, and Angela Bassett, 57.

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