By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

Andre Dawson has had enough of the pain emanating from his right knee in recent months and he's had enough of the accompanying back pain stemming from that knee.

So what is the classy Expos legend going to do?

He's going under the knife Nov. 19 in Miami for a knee replacement.

"I don't know how long the surgery is going to be but I told the doctor to do a good job,'' Dawson said, smiling, as he chatted with this reporter before his appearance at the Sport Card Expo in Mississauga, Ont. today.

Because he was putting pressure on and favoring his right knee as he walked, Dawson also began experiencing back pain. Knee problems have been legendary for Dawson since he first injured his left knee during a high school football game.

In the course of his lifetime, Dawson, 64, has already undergone 14 knee surgeries: eight on the left, six on the right. The upcoming one will be the seventh on his right, 15th overall.

"The right knee has gotten down to the bone and it has kind of affected the back,'' Dawson said. "I don't want to be a cripple at 65 or 66 because it's bad enough as it is. I've experienced a lot of pain over the years and it got to the point that I don't really call it pain.

"This is the first time I've had the right knee replaced. I've been holding off on this surgery for quite some time. I had the left knee replaced a few years ago.''

Dawson engaged in a question-and-answer session with a show interviewer today and then signed a few public autographs before heading to a back room to sign more autographs in a private session.

Dawson has marketing contracts with the sports-apparel company Fanatics and MAB Celebrity Services.

Danny Gallagher's book Blue Monday is available in bookstores across Canada and at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.