1. Welcome to SportsJournalists.com, a friendly forum for discussing all things sports and journalism.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register for a free account to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Access to private conversations with other members.
    • Fewer ads.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

RIP Sparky Anderson

Discussion in 'Sports and News' started by slappy4428, Nov 3, 2010.

  1. Pete Incaviglia

    Pete Incaviglia Active Member

    Re: Sparky Anderson in hospice, suffers from dementia

    I grew up outside Detroit. Grew up a Tiger fan. In 1987 I was 11. My dad took the family to Florida during spring training. We hit a Tigers game in Lakeland.

    A few things about that day stand out. The first is Anderson. I remember him being on the field side of a chain link fence, leaning against it talking to fans; not only talking, but conversing in the most personable manner. He seemed genuinely interested in where every one of us was from, what we did - no matter the age. I was enthralled. I don't think I said a word, just watched and listen.

    And, as a side, after the game, Kirk Gibson, who was a surly bugger back then, signed an autograph for my sister, age 9. It was one of like three he signed. We got the signatures near the team bus and Lou Whitaker, for whatever reason, invited my sister onto the bus to get autographs as the players boarded. He also signed his name Louis Whitaker, which I thought was odd at the time.

    Anyway, just two small baseball stories.
     
  2. Hank_Scorpio

    Hank_Scorpio Active Member

    Re: Sparky Anderson in hospice, suffers from dementia

    He was at the 1984 20 year reunion in 2009. Looked pretty good and sounded pretty good then. Just walked a little slower.


    Must have been a quick decline.

    Get well soon, Sparky.
     
  3. Bubbler

    Bubbler Well-Known Member

    Re: Sparky Anderson in hospice, suffers from dementia

    RIP Dooley Womack. You were once woodwork, now you're in a pine box.

    Oh wait ...

    As for Sparky, that's incredibly sad to hear.
     
  4. SoCalDude

    SoCalDude Active Member

    Re: Sparky Anderson in hospice, suffers from dementia

    Met Sparky a few times and he was always delightful to be around. Sorry to hear this.

    RE: above, anybody remember Paul "OUSEHOLDE" when his shirt was tucked in?
     
  5. Sea Bass

    Sea Bass Well-Known Member

    Re: Sparky Anderson in hospice, suffers from dementia

    Why did they wait five extra years to have the 20-year reunion?
     
  6. Moderator1

    Moderator1 Moderator Staff Member

    Re: Sparky Anderson in hospice, suffers from dementia

    That shit doesn't mess around. Awful stuff. Awful news.
     
  7. WolvEagle

    WolvEagle Well-Known Member

    Re: Sparky Anderson in hospice, suffers from dementia

    Awful, awful news. The Detroit papers are making a big deal of it, as they should. What a cool guy.

    Sparky is absolutely beloved around here.

    My first baseball card of him was in 1972 when he was the Reds' manager - and he was gray, then, too.
     
  8. Ben_Hecht

    Ben_Hecht Active Member

    Re: Sparky Anderson in hospice, suffers from dementia

    Horrible news.
     
  9. micropolitan guy

    micropolitan guy Well-Known Member

    Re: Sparky Anderson in hospice, suffers from dementia

    I saw him in Des Moines at a Cubs-Evansville game during the 1981 strike, waiting in line at the concession stand. Bernie Carbo was with Evansville then, and begged him for a job.
     
  10. OrangeGrad

    OrangeGrad Member

    Re: Sparky Anderson in hospice, suffers from dementia

    Really sad news.
     
  11. slappy4428

    slappy4428 Active Member

    Re: Sparky Anderson in hospice, suffers from dementia

    My favorite non-baseball memory of Sparky...


    [​IMG]

    "Sparky"
    gs: Sparky Anderson [ Himself ], Hugh Gillin [ Cal Owens ], Andrew Bloch [ Derek Doogle ]

    Mr. Carlson hires legendary baseball manager Sparky Anderson as the host of a new sports interview show.
     
  12. Huggy

    Huggy Well-Known Member

    Re: Sparky Anderson in hospice, suffers from dementia

    Ha, Sparky's Bullpen, great pull.

    "It's like soccer/hockey."

    Sad news about a former Toronto Maple Leaf (the baseball version).
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page