Sparky Anderson, Ex-Tigers Manager, Placed Into Hospice

DETROIT — Former Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds manager Sparky Anderson has been placed in hospice care at his Thousand Oaks, Calif. home for complications resulting from dementia.

Anderson's family said in a statement Wednesday that they appreciate the support and kindness that friends and fans have shown throughout the Hall of Famer's career and retirement. No further details were released.

The 76-year-old Anderson was inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame in 2000, culminating a major league career that included one nondescript season as a player and an historic run as a manager.

He won 2,194 games as a manager, which was the third-highest total in major league history when he retired, trailing Connie Mack and John McGraw. He now stands sixth, also trailing Tony La Russa, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre. Anderson was the first manager to win World Series titles in both leagues and the only manager to lead two franchises in career wins.

He led Cincinnati's Big Red Machine to World Series wins in 1975-76. He won four National League pennants in Cincinnati from 1970-78, then was fired after consecutive second-place finishes.

Anderson went to the American League and won there, too, directing the Tigers to a World Series title in 1984 and a division title in 1987. He retired after the 1995 season and was added to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

"We are very sad to hear the news of Sparky's failing health," Reds owner Bob Castellini said in a statement. "Every day here we are reminded of his contribution to the success of this proud franchise."

The Tigers said they would keep Anderson, his wife, Carol, and their family in their thoughts and prayers.

"Sparky led one of the most beloved teams in franchise history to the World Series title in 1984 and remains the winningest manager in franchise history," the organization said in a statement. "His contributions to the Detroit Tigers remain a significant part of the club's history."

Comments

[Kris Bui]

01:44 PM on 11/04/2010

Aw, Sparky! Good luck to ya.

[Just walkin the dog here]

12:19 PM on 11/04/2010

Probably could still out-manage most of the current managers. His time in baseball was some of the best. I was Dodger fan back in the 70's and 80's when he would bring in his Reds. Damned if the Reds didn't usually win. Some great games.

[liberaldawg]

12:01 PM on 11/04/2010

Hang in there Sparky!

[Conk]

11:00 AM on 11/04/2010

Who's on first? How many bases are there? Why is he throwing that ball at the other guy with the stick in his hand?

Just kidding Sparky. God bless you, you are a great coach!

[guilatty]

10:37 AM on 11/04/2010

One of the great old school guys who added so much value to the game. The 1984 Wire to Wire Season is still my favorite memory in baseball. From opening day to the 5th and final game of the World Series the Tigers were never out of first place. One of those great baseball personalities that make the game what it is. Best wishes to Sparky and his family.

[nancestef]

10:33 AM on 11/04/2010

I first became a MLB baseball fan in 1974 or 75. Sparky was the manager of the first team I ever followed -- The Detroit Tigers.

He brought a lot of joy to this baseball fan by his classy demeanor.

Rest well, sir. You deserve it.

[monkeypill]

09:25 AM on 11/04/2010

The entire sports world would benefit by taking a cue from the life of this great man. He was a hero of mine as a young man and always exemplified the highest values of sports and life.

[topkatnc]

08:22 AM on 11/04/2010

So sorry to hear this ... I have always loved Sparky ... Before becoming a Braves fan , I was a Reds fan .. wish you the best Sparky ....

[jeffp26]

07:55 AM on 11/04/2010

Sad story, but it happens to us all.

[Nick Wright]

05:38 AM on 11/04/2010

sad day for baseball

[mrpro]

05:29 AM on 11/04/2010

I met Sparky at LAX and talked to him for a while about the Tigers. He was incredibly nice and seemed genuinly happy. What a class act and a living legend. Sparky is a great American.

[ShadowRedux]

01:30 AM on 11/04/2010

Some of the happier moments of my life were spent sitting in Riverfront Stadium in Cinci watching Sparky manage our our Big Red Machine. The players that achieved greatness while playing for him did so because they played for him. He was a scholar of the sport, a gentleman and a true sportsman. Sparky will go down in histoty with the great ones. Baseball in Cincy was never the same once he left.

[sus2222]

01:21 AM on 11/04/2010

A TRUE Gentleman and a great competitor.
Godspeed Sparky.

[cookerman45]

01:08 AM on 11/04/2010

sure would like ta hear a Ernie harwell / Sparky interview about now.

[Denice Brown]

01:04 AM on 11/04/2010

I am a native Detroiter. Sparky will always be one of my Tiger Heroes. 1984 was as good a year as it gets. Sparky is 'One Of The Good Ones'. This is a sad event, as we lost our legendary Tiger Baseball announcer Ernie Harwell earlier this year. So sad.