RIP Sparky Anderson
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LarryLage Former Tigers & Reds manager Sparky Anderson passed away today at his home in California. He was 76 years old. RIP, Sparky
Bless You Boys and RIP Sparky!
ADDED: Here is a nice article on Sparky from 1993. Enjoy. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1138191/1/index.htm
November 4th, 2010 at 1:55 PM ^
Always fond memories of 1984 and Sparky. Just heard announcement on 97.1 a minute ago.
November 4th, 2010 at 1:55 PM ^
He is now in heaven hanging out poolside with Ernie Harwell, and Bo.
November 4th, 2010 at 1:58 PM ^
I know ernie was an amazing guy, I hope in heaven he can forgive bo
sparky was the best
November 4th, 2010 at 9:20 PM ^
Bo needs to forgive Ernie, Ernie got it wrong.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:29 PM ^
...forget George Kell.
November 4th, 2010 at 1:55 PM ^
An Even Greater Human Being.
November 4th, 2010 at 1:56 PM ^
Many fond memories of Sparky and the TIgers growing up, particularly '84. You will be missed!
November 4th, 2010 at 1:57 PM ^
Thank you for the great memories and for giving so much to the City of Detroit as well as the State of MI.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:02 PM ^
The clip of him muttering to himself in the dugout about Gossage refusing to walk Gibson is just priceless. A great baseball moment, even for somebody who couldn't care less about the Tigers (or the Reds for that matter).
RIP, Sparky.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:15 PM ^
Loved Sparky.
I heard some awesome stories about Sparky. My friend's little brother (who was about 8 at the time) was able to stand off to the side during a press conference once(don't know if it was at a podium or in his office). He waived at Sparky while he was talking to reporters. At that point Sparky said "hold on guys I will be right back." He went over and greeted the kid and introduced himself. One of many examples of him being pure class.
RIP Sparky.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:06 PM ^
Having grown up a Tigers fan I have such fond memories of him as the Tigers skipper and especially 1984.
Now I live in Cincy and I have to always hear about the Big Red Machine and what Sparky did after that doesn't matter. They still view him as theirs.
Regardless, he was a great manager and always classy. We'll miss you Sparky.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:06 PM ^
Another Michigan hero. Thanks for the memories.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:08 PM ^
Harwell and Anderson passing away in the same year is tough. The first manager to win a World Series in both leagues. 1984 will always be remembered in the Detroit area and he is forever linked with that team. My condolences to his family and friends.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:12 PM ^
How sad. A lot of my good memories as a kid are of spending time with my dad watching Bo's Michigan teams and Sparky's Tiger teams (with the radio on, of course). Just a bummer when the people you grew up idolizing start passing on...
November 4th, 2010 at 2:13 PM ^
Sparky Anderson. Thank you for 1984, it was epic.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:16 PM ^
He was a childhood hero of mine along with the '84 Tigers. Rest in Peace, Sparky.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:17 PM ^
Heaven must've needed another good guy.
I moved to A2 in 1986, and if ever there was a "face of Detroit" Sparky was certainly it, or at least one of them. I quickly became a fan and was sad when he left. This definitely tugs at the heartstrings a bit.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:18 PM ^
You gave us Tigers fans many wonderful memories over the years. You will be missed.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:19 PM ^
Sad............
November 4th, 2010 at 2:19 PM ^
Thanks for the great memories. He coached two of arguably the best teams in baseball history.
November 4th, 2010 at 3:55 PM ^
Tell Ernie we said hello.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:27 PM ^
He'll be dearly missed. RIP.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:27 PM ^
...1984 was. Nothing better than the center field bleachers at Tigers Stadium during that magical summer. Such great memories and Sparky was their architect.
Sparky was a Hall of Famer in every sense of the word and a Detroit icon for the ages. He will be sorely missed.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:28 PM ^
Remember being at the Michigan Homecoming game in 1984 on October 13th. We were easily beating Northwestern on our way to a 31-0 victory. The crowd was doing the wave and enjoying the day but the game was interspersed with spontaneous roars as the Tigers were scoring runs during their World Series game.
Saw a lot of Tigers games in 1983 and 1984 and we all have to thank Sparky for bringing us the last Tigers World Championship.
Thoughts and prayers to Sparky in baseball heaven and his family.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:29 PM ^
Well, damn. That sucks. He was a big part of my childhood love for the Detroit Tigers. I still remember my first Tigers game and my first set of baseball cards (Topps '87 Detroit Tigers team set). Sparky was a good guy.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:41 PM ^
Don't step on those foul lines.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:41 PM ^
RIP Sparky. I actually thought he was older than 76 years old...very sad day for Tigers fans.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:57 PM ^
Miss you Sparky, I'll never forget the roar of 1984 and that 35-5 start.....You were a great man, rest in piece and be sure to tell Bo that we need both of you to help us get rid of that Angry Michigan Seconday hating Satan!
November 4th, 2010 at 3:00 PM ^
No fuckin' way. I thought he was about 70 then. Weird.
November 4th, 2010 at 3:01 PM ^
Best wishes to his family. A great manager and a great person. He will be missed.
November 4th, 2010 at 3:10 PM ^
So long Sparky! You'll be missed! He was one of my favorite managers.
Go Blue and Go Sparky!!!
November 4th, 2010 at 3:59 PM ^
I always loved seeing go out to the mound to talk to the pitcher or yell at the ump and how he would talk them up or give 'em hell at half their size. You will be missed George "Sparky" Anderson.
November 4th, 2010 at 4:01 PM ^
Anyone else stunned to read that he was only 76?
When I first started watching the Tigers as a kid nearly 20 years ago now, he looked and acted a lot older than a guy in his late 50s.
November 4th, 2010 at 4:27 PM ^
Great managers never die, they just hop over the foul line one last time. RIP, Sparky.
November 4th, 2010 at 4:52 PM ^
RIP Sparky. You will always be a class act who represented Tiger baseball exceedingly well.
November 4th, 2010 at 5:00 PM ^
feel just a little more "mortal" with this news? Another piece of our youth...regardless of your age....has slipped away.
I am not a religious man...but...God bless you Sparky. And thanks for the memories.
November 4th, 2010 at 5:00 PM ^
Truly an asset to the game and to the state of Michigan. Go Tigers
November 4th, 2010 at 6:35 PM ^
A genuinely kind man who was never rude to anybody. A two year period of losing George Kell, Mark Fidrych, Ernie Harwell and now Sparky. That summer of 84 was unforgettable - first from wire to wire - and then that last mad dash of 1987.
November 4th, 2010 at 7:26 PM ^
November 4th, 2010 at 7:33 PM ^
He showed what it means to be a winner. And his '84 team was amazing and something to be cherished!
November 4th, 2010 at 8:47 PM ^
November 4th, 2010 at 9:23 PM ^
RIP Sparky. I won't never not miss Sparky and his way with words.
November 4th, 2010 at 11:11 PM ^
Great coach.
Now If I can only find that autographed ball by him.
Jk / sarcasm