Farewell Sparky Anderson

George Lee "Sparky" Anderson, who died Thursday at age 76, was one of the best managers, and finest gentlemen, in baseball. He was third on the list of baseball's all-time winningest managers, with 2194 while managing the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers. Combined, he led them to 5 Pennants and 3 World Series Titles. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000, and in typical modesty, he gave all the credit to his players and none to himself.

In 2005, I hosted and produced One Night in February-Inside the Roast of a Manager, Tony La Russa's 60th birthday roast. I was lucky enough to spend a weekend listening to, among many other greats, Sparky's excellent stories. I watched him conduct himself with such grace and kindness to all. Often, the guys with the fiercest game faces (Sparky, Bob Gibson, La Russa, for example) are the gentlest souls with the kindest hearts. Here is a clip from that DVD. By the way, 100% of sales of that DVD went to help pay off Tony La Russa's ARF (www.arf.net), a beautiful animal shelter in Walnut Creek, CA.

WATCH

 

Follow Elayne Boosler on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ElayneBoosler

Comments

[OC4Obama4Pres]

01:46 PM on 11/09/2010

Thank you, Elayne.

[CatfishJohn]

10:45 AM on 11/09/2010

Thanks for this essay. Sparky was one of the few bright lites in Detroit during those years Reagan was ravaging the social safety net while the citiy's economy was in a free-fall.. You always felt a palpable sense of connection to baseball's great past through this guy.

[youvebinfarteen]

12:26 PM on 11/07/2010

Rose, Morgan, Bench, Foster, Perez, Conception...................... with Sparky at the helm. Who-wee

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

11:45 AM on 11/07/2010

Great clip.
Sparky for Congress.
Sigh.

[RVU]

02:11 AM on 11/07/2010

Sparky Anderson's passing is sad. Baseball ran in his veins. He always had gray hair and he managed like he was gray haired and wise, even when he was in his late 30s in the early 70s.

I am not a Reds fan, but there is something transcendental about typing all these names: Bench, Perez, Morgan, Concepcion, Rose, Foster, Geronimo, Griffey. That’s a friggin team-awesome complementary components working together And this is coming from a Yankee fan blown out of Ruth's house by the red machine in the Bicentennial, and then being intentionally sent a bum Don Gullett which I am still pissed about.

The 70s was a great decades for baseball and football, not only for the performances but for the personalities. Too bad we cant go back to the times of the dynasties and the teams trying to dismount them. To hell with parity-just my rant.

RIP Sparky and remember to step over the white line when St Peter opens the gate.

[3fingerbrown]

09:32 AM on 11/08/2010

The '70s might've been baseball's greatest decade. Power, speed, pitching, defense, all in equal proportions. Legendary teams like the Big Red Machine, the We-Are-Family Pirates, the Bronx Zoo. And, as you say, great personalities. A time when we still cared enough to give our heroes nicknames: Stick, Goose, Bump, Catfish, Pops, Tom Terrific, Sparky, et al. (Where are those great nicknames today?)

Fanned, for knowing a superior brand of ball when you see one.

[stephenlight]

01:31 AM on 11/07/2010

Excellent tribute and thank you for sharing it. He was indeed a great credit to Baseball. One could do far worse in this world!

[jimme]

07:16 PM on 11/06/2010

One of the few sports figures that I can't think of anything bad to say about,and that's saying a lot.

[bicycsual]

07:05 PM on 11/06/2010

To Three Rivers, The Machine, and the Spark.

[smileylib]

06:29 PM on 11/06/2010

As a Detroit Tigers fan, he was one of the best! The 1984 season was a classic in itself and Tiger fans everywhere were honored to have claimed both Sparky & Ernie Harwell as one of ours! His contributions to the community outside of baseball were greatly appreciated, and he never failed to take the time for his fans. RIP Sparky!

[drumz]

05:05 PM on 11/06/2010

Thanks Elaine, that was great.

[LongTimeLiberal52]

02:34 PM on 11/06/2010

Farewell, Sparky. Thanks for a thousand wonderful memories during a youth spent reveling in the glory of the Big Red Machine...

[James Tall]

01:28 PM on 11/06/2010

When I pass I hope Elayne Boosler can write some kind words for me, too!

[Elayne Boosler]

07:25 PM on 11/06/2010

James, you are going to outlive me by a century. Just remember to throw me into the barbecue at 800 degrees for two days.

[PTAOfficerforObama]

01:22 PM on 11/06/2010

I was a Cincy fan and a Detroit fan as I was born and lived 7 years in the first and finished growing up in the 2nd. Baseball was a passion in my family. I loved Sparky. I think my favorite quote was : The great thing about baseball is when you're done, you'll only tell your grandchildren the good things. If they ask me about 1989, I'll tell them I had amnesia.
Sparky, you didn't need amnesia, you were great even when you lost. We will miss you.

[smpj]

02:10 PM on 11/06/2010

His teams may have on occasion come up short, but this man always had what it took to rise above it. Very pleased you understood his importortance and took the time to send your thoughts our way.

[Elayne Boosler]

07:26 PM on 11/06/2010

It was my pleasure. I have met sooooo many, and he stood out as such a lovely human being. And everyone seems to agree about that!

[smpj]

12:29 PM on 11/06/2010

Thank you for that. As a lifelong Detroit Tiger fan, I know Sparky was the best thing, other than perhaps Al Kaline, that ever happened to this team in my lifetime. Greatness can come in packages that seem on the outside ordinary but are in depth anything but. Boosler's peception of his honesty, grace, kindness, personal charm, and fascination are qualities we as happy observers knew to our cores he possessed. This thoroughly American sportsman had ALL of the right stuff. A very very good life lived.

[1logicalthinker]

02:10 PM on 11/06/2010

Coming from an old-time Tiger fan. I totally agree, but I'd also like to add Ernie Harwell to the mix. Fanned.

[Charlotte Libov]

12:24 PM on 11/06/2010

Thank you for sharing this wonderful memory and video clip.

[Elayne Boosler]

07:40 PM on 11/06/2010

Well Charlotte, as a life long Mets fan, I have to write about other people's managers, sigh.

[Aramingo]

11:25 AM on 11/09/2010

Stengel? Hodges? Berra? Torre? Johnson? Not that bad a list. And ya gotta admit, Valentine in disguise was classic.

BTW: Beautiful post. As a Yankee fan, I think back to '76 and just shake my head.