Remembering Sparky Anderson

I remember the 1984 World Series. Actually, I remember the moment the Detroit Tigers won the World Series. Sparky Anderson was the team manager. He was as passionate as any manager could be about his team. Sadly, he died at the age of 76, yesterday, November 4, 2010.

I remember watching him sweat, cheer and celebrate during that series. The Detroit Tigers were a great team with a great line up but if you ask anyone the names of the players during that season, they will likely be able to name a few but Sparky Anderson is a name that will always be remembered during that season of glory.

Born in Bridgewater, South Dakota on February 22, 1934, Sparky Anderson was one of five children. He began his career as a manager in 1969 in Cincinnati at the age of 39.

I know little about Sparky Anderson as I was a baseball fan only during the season of 1984. I knew little of the game and found myself asking others what an RBI was. To be honest, I still don't quite get what it is. But for me that summer was magic here for the people who claimed the Tigers as their own and yes, I was on that bandwagon.

Over the years, I have heard about what some of the players did but I never paid much attention but the man that implied in 1979 that the Tigers would have a World Series within five years, has always stuck with me. His small frame, his white hair his passion, his anger, his joy and a smile that always seemed to make everyone else smile seemed to be the face of the winning 1984 Detroit Tigers.

What I can tell you about Sparky Anderson from a fair weather baseball fan perspective is that his death stunned me when I read about it. His life was one that showed his deep love for baseball and in a business that often spends time slamming those who do well, Sparky Anderson seemed to have more people that loved him than hated him. His humor kept reporters busy and those listening laughing. He was at ease with himself, his game and his team even in the worst of time. The history of baseball has changed because of him and certainly can't be told without including him in the stories.

His death is not only a loss to baseball but to a proud moment in Detroit history that will not be forgotten by those of us who were there to experience Sparky Anderson's and the "Bless You Boys" 1984 Tigers.

Today, I don't mourn the loss of a baseball manger but instead the loss of a fine man, who lived his passion and never lost faith in a team that most of Michigan, had lost faith in many years before. Sparky Anderson was living proof that when you believe enough work hard enough and never say die that dreams do come true. He made the dreams come true for all of Michigan in 1984.

May you rest in peace Sparky Anderson. You will be deeply missed but your legacy will continue to live as long as little boys pick up baseball bats and gloves with the dream of someday playing the World Series. Thank you for the memories and for a summer of magic in a young girl's life.

*Sources :

USAToday.com

AOL News