Sparky Anderson was the manager of the World Champion Cincinnati Reds in 75 and 76 then won another World Series with the Detroit Tigers in 84. I was 5 in 75 and thought that Sparky was the best manager in the world. I didn't know anything about managers then, he was really all i knew. But he was such a character, he became a part of my life. He'll always be the first manager I've ever known and will always be the greatest manager ever. Today he is 75 and is just as vibrant as he ever was.
I watched a video today of the reunion of that 1984 Tigers Champion team. Sparky was obviously the focus of the video, you can view it here. And it's been 25 years since that team won the WS with Sparky as the manager. Every former player there said that Sparky took such a vibrant interest in their lives on the field and off. It was unanimous that the lessons that Sparky taught in the clubhouse and on the field were not just about baseball but about life. Many of these guys talked about the lessons Sparky gave them in those years have blossomed in their personal off the field lives over the years. And Sparky in his interview was talking about how he managed, he said it wasn't in his arms, or his legs or his ears, but what he saw with his EYES was what told him what to do and how to manage. He was so emotional in his interview that he started to actually cry. And not like a baby, but like a man. Like a man so passionate about his life and career and about baseball and those around him, he was just so moved by the telling of the stories of his wonderful life and career. He was charmed for sure. But it wasn't luck, it wasn't college. It was being able to see the world around him, understanding his place in it, and helping others seee where they fit in to that same world. This is a lifelong baseball guy. And, he was terrible as a player...good glove no bat, they'd said about him. He played one year at the major league level. One year. And he had a 545 winning percentage as a manager. He's a tiny little guy. And yet he was the fearless leader of human giants on the great baseball field of MLB as well as the fearless guide through the lives of those he touched. What a wonderful man. He is one of the most sincere people I think I've ever heard talk. And he has every right to be a cocky sonofabitch. But cocky ain't Sparky. And Sparky ain't cocky.
I always see baseball as, and think of baseball like a metaphor for life. I know that life is a journey. And throughout life, we all need a guide. How lucky those men on the baseball field were to have experienced one of the more qualified guides in life. I believe that if Sparky touched your life, you were lucky. I've never met the man, and I've never been in the same room as him, but he's a shining star in a world that needs more shining stars.
In May of 2005, Sparky's number was retired by the Reds in a pre-game ceremony on the field. I've never gotten to any of those pre-game things in my life. But me and my buddy Mike the War Dog were there. And we heard every word from Sparky, Marty Brennaman and others. As part of the Sparky tribute they gave out pictures of Sparky to all that entered the gates. And try as we might, we couldn't keep our pictures with us. What's a guy supposed to do with a 8 x 12 picture for the duration of a baseball game and the bars afterwards? We got sloppy drunk and stayed at a hotel by the stadium, and even though I had a great time, I'll always regret losing track of that picture of Sparky.
I hope that Sparky lives to be 115 years old and that he can inspire more people as he goes. What a cool dude, what a cool life he's lived. Bless ya' Sparky.
I watched a video today of the reunion of that 1984 Tigers Champion team. Sparky was obviously the focus of the video, you can view it here. And it's been 25 years since that team won the WS with Sparky as the manager. Every former player there said that Sparky took such a vibrant interest in their lives on the field and off. It was unanimous that the lessons that Sparky taught in the clubhouse and on the field were not just about baseball but about life. Many of these guys talked about the lessons Sparky gave them in those years have blossomed in their personal off the field lives over the years. And Sparky in his interview was talking about how he managed, he said it wasn't in his arms, or his legs or his ears, but what he saw with his EYES was what told him what to do and how to manage. He was so emotional in his interview that he started to actually cry. And not like a baby, but like a man. Like a man so passionate about his life and career and about baseball and those around him, he was just so moved by the telling of the stories of his wonderful life and career. He was charmed for sure. But it wasn't luck, it wasn't college. It was being able to see the world around him, understanding his place in it, and helping others seee where they fit in to that same world. This is a lifelong baseball guy. And, he was terrible as a player...good glove no bat, they'd said about him. He played one year at the major league level. One year. And he had a 545 winning percentage as a manager. He's a tiny little guy. And yet he was the fearless leader of human giants on the great baseball field of MLB as well as the fearless guide through the lives of those he touched. What a wonderful man. He is one of the most sincere people I think I've ever heard talk. And he has every right to be a cocky sonofabitch. But cocky ain't Sparky. And Sparky ain't cocky.
I always see baseball as, and think of baseball like a metaphor for life. I know that life is a journey. And throughout life, we all need a guide. How lucky those men on the baseball field were to have experienced one of the more qualified guides in life. I believe that if Sparky touched your life, you were lucky. I've never met the man, and I've never been in the same room as him, but he's a shining star in a world that needs more shining stars.
In May of 2005, Sparky's number was retired by the Reds in a pre-game ceremony on the field. I've never gotten to any of those pre-game things in my life. But me and my buddy Mike the War Dog were there. And we heard every word from Sparky, Marty Brennaman and others. As part of the Sparky tribute they gave out pictures of Sparky to all that entered the gates. And try as we might, we couldn't keep our pictures with us. What's a guy supposed to do with a 8 x 12 picture for the duration of a baseball game and the bars afterwards? We got sloppy drunk and stayed at a hotel by the stadium, and even though I had a great time, I'll always regret losing track of that picture of Sparky.
I hope that Sparky lives to be 115 years old and that he can inspire more people as he goes. What a cool dude, what a cool life he's lived. Bless ya' Sparky.
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