I first met George "Sparky" Anderson during a "Roast and Toast" reception for Domino's Pizza CEO Tom Monaghan, the then new owner of the Detroit Tigers. We held the special event in Crisler Arena on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor after the Tigers beat the San Diego Padres to win the 1984 World Series.
Many years later when I was recruited to spearhead the first integrated marketing and communications function at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Sparky and I recounted that wonderful experience. While many people knew him better than me, few admired him more. Like the great Tigers announcer, Ernie Harwell, who joined us for the dedication of Sparky's diamond on the CLU campus, he will be greatly missed.
Our community, our state and our nation have lost one of the most gracious, thoughtful, humble and knowledgeable baseball strategists we will ever know.
Sparky was indeed a great man on and off the field. You were very lucky to know him and to be able to call him a friend. All baseball fans -- and all fans of "good people" -- will miss him greatly. So long Sparky. We miss you already.
ReplyDeleteI covered Sparky Anderson's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000 for the Ventura County Star. I went to Sparky's Thousand Oaks home two weeks before the induction to interview him for a feature that ran the Sunday before his induction. I asked Sparky what was the most important part of the induction for him. His response: "I will be the first South Dakotan in the Hall of Fame." He was a great man with great accomplishment, but he was humble beyond belief and a man who could enjoy the simple things in life. He was a man of the world, but most happy at home. He never imagined himself on such a stage. "I never would have hired me as the Reds manager," but sports and baseball were better for the selection.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I hear anyone talk about Sparky Anderson, I notice his leadership attributes and positive connection that he had with others. Although I was never able to meet Mr. Anderson, I could tell how much of an influence he had not only on the game of baseball, but the CLU community as well. For example, students of CLU would tell me all the time that he helped to bring out the best in people, while providing a mindset for others to not just be the best baseball player one can be, but the best "human being" possible. This statement by itself exemplifies the kind of person, leader and role model that Sparky was. You will be greatly missed, Sparky... Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Ritch! Sparky was a fixture in my childhood home, summer nights (and a few October nights as well!) as Dad was listening to the game, usually in the garage. I can not read or hear Sparky's name without hearing Ernie Harwell's voice! The two were a tremendous combination - their dedication to their work, consistent excellence in their professions and their humble natures taught me a lot as a young man. Truly the end of an era, but never to be forgotten! Thanks for the apt remembrance.
ReplyDeleteAs Professor Eich has stated, our nation has lost a sports icon and a great all-around human being with the loss of Sparky Anderson. Not only am I a fan of baseball and an admirer of what Sparky was able to accomplish over his professional career, but I am a baseball player at California Lutheran University and have been touched by Mr. Anderson on a personal level. Sparky would visit our team frequently at practices and games. He would talk with us about the game, give his input on what we as players could do to improve, and simply hang out with us as one of the guys. I recall numerous occasions where my teammates and I would sit around and pick Sparky's brain about anything baseball that we could think of. It was times such as these that will truly stick with me forever, and I am forever thankful to have had the opportunity to meet Mr. Anderson and be in his presence on a baseball diamond.
ReplyDeleteSparky Anderson has certainly left his mark on the world. I even remember my grandpa, who is a huge fan of the Cincinnati Reds, talking about Sparky. I had the pleasure of hearing Sparky speak when he came to one of our football team meetings and gave us a little speech. I enjoyed is bright personality when I would walk by him as he was going on his walks around the CLU campus in the morning. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
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