Andre Dawson was about to take a nap when the call he had been waiting for finally came. Listening carefully, he gave a thumbs-up sign to his wife, waiting breathlessly in the doorway.

The former star outfielder for the Chicago Cubs had just fulfilled the dream of every kid who has ever picked up a ball and glove: his election to baseball’s hall of fame.

That story kicks off “If You Love This Game” by Dawson and Alan Maimon. The book touches on many aspects of Dawson’s 21-year career. He reveals what it’s like to play with pain, and what goes on between teammates who spend months – even years – together.