Legendary Baseball Manager Sparky Anderson Passes Away At 76

Thursday morning’s news of Sparky Anderson’s death came as a surprise, and as a second blow to those left still reeling from Wednesday’s news that he’d been placed under hospice care for dementia. But this is a time not to feel bad about about Sparky’s passing, but to celebrate all that he was able to accomplish both in and outside of the game of baseball.

Within, he was a Hall of Fame manager who won three World Series and left a very strong, favorable impression on players, coaches, and media types. He also left an impression on the game itself, as he’s considered by many to be the first manager to use his bullpen like managers do today. Sparky explained why in his own words in a book foreword:

Kirk Gibson played for Sparky Anderson on the 1984 Detroit Tigers team that won the World Series and frequently cited Anderson this season after taking over as Arizona Diamondback interim manager as a baseball mentor.

Gibson issued this statement today:

News that Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson had died shook the baseball world Thursday morning, and to a man everyone who has responded to the news has spoken glowingly of the skipper, and of their interactions with him. Members of the media in particular have heaped praise upon Anderson for doing the job he did while always being kind to and respectful of other people. But Anderson wasn’t always a ray of sunshine, and he would have some choice words for the press from time to time, as evidenced by the video below (warning: language):

Of course, even there, Sparky still managed to sound downright polite and congenial about the whole thing. It says something about a man’s character when he can use some of those words and still come off sounding like a friend to everyone.

News of Sparky Anderson’s death has spread quickly, and people from all over the game are deeply saddened by the news. A select few reactions are shown below.

Sean McAdam:

Yesterday, on Wednesday, we learned that Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson had been placed under hospice care due to complications from dementia. However, on Thursday, the situation took an even worse turn, and it is now being reported that Anderson has died at the age of 76.

Anderson is survived by his wife, Carol, his sons Lee and Albert, his daughter Shirley Englebrecht, and his nine grandchildren. According to a report, there will be no funeral or memorial service at Sparky’s own request.

Wednesday morning, it was announced that the 76 year old Sparky Anderson - long-time manager of the Reds and Tigers - has been placed under hospice care at his home in California due to complications from dementia. His family has released a statement, with an excerpt below:

Known as Sparky in baseball circles and as George in personal matters, Anderson first showed up as a light-hitting middle infielder. He spent only one season in the Major Leagues and fashioned a more successful, Hall of Fame career as a coach. He began as a successful manager in the minor leagues, and in 1970 he took over the Cincinnati Reds.