Sparky Anderson

[Scott D]

Is now in hospice care due to suffering from dehydration and dementia.


Sparky Anderson, the all-time leader among Tigers managers in victories, visibility and inimitable quotations, has been placed in hospice care, according to a statement released today from his family.

Anderson is 76.

The family said Anderson was suffering from complications resulting from dementia and he was at his home in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

“It’s the type of ailment that takes a toll over time,” said family spokesperson Dan Ewald, who was in California with Anderson about three weeks ago.
The statement also said: The Anderson family — wife, Carol; sons Lee and Albert; and daughter Shirley Englebrecht – “wishes to express appreciation to all friends and fans for the support and kindness they have shown throughout Sparky’s career and retirement.”

[texaspokieokie]

too bad about old Sparky !!

[oumartin]

He passed away today.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

RIP Sparky..one of my all time favorite managers

[TUSooner]

Sparky was all about baseball, and uniquely American. RIP Mr.Baseball.

[StoopTroup]

RIP Sparky....

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=kurkjian_tim&id=5765088

Great Read IMO


Anderson was 36 years old when he took over the Reds in 1970. That was a good team, a relatively young team, but the veterans tested their new manager immediately, and immediately Sparky made it clear: It didn't matter that he was a rookie manager, or only 36 years old, he was in charge, and the players would do as he said. Quickly, they did. The Reds won world championships in 1975 and 1976. Those teams are considered among the greatest teams in National League history.

In 1979, Anderson took over the Tigers. He was instrumental -- but took no credit -- for helping make Gibson, Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, Jack Morris and many others the players they became. In 1984, the Tigers started out 35-5, went wire-to-wire to take the division and won the World Series in five games over the Padres. Anderson wrote a diary of that special season, in which he typically lauded in the players in a book titled "Bless You Boys.''

[GrapevineSooner]

One of the game's great gentlemen.

It's been a tough year for Tigers fans, and baseball fans, with the passing of the great Ernie Harwell and Sparky Anderson.