The Tigers’ and Reds’ Sparky Anderson, a legendary manager.
FROM A MANAGER LIKE ANDERSON
Perspective goes a long way in baseball
YOU CAN SEE A WHOLE LOT OF SPARKY
IN BALTIMORE’S BUCK SHOWALTER
By David Maril
Tiger Stadium is long gone, and the soothing, eloquent southern tones of the late Ernie Harwell, Detroit’s Hall of Fame play-by-play voice, have been missing from the city for years.
Still, every time I watch the Orioles play in Detroit, even at their new stadium, those simple, traditional baseball uniforms make me think of Sparky Anderson, the great manager who spent a good chunk of his journey on the road to enshrinement in Cooperstown, in the Motor City.
The start of every baseball season means optimism and a fresh slate.
Anderson, who died in 2010 at the age of 76, epitomized resiliency, looking on the bright side, and always positive about coming back the next day and trying to do things right, to win no matter what had happened the game before.
He was a tough competitor, had a temper and experienced more than his share of harsh arguments over the years.
He managed some great players, including Johnny Bench and the controversial Pete Rose, and had an impressive postseason record in the playoffs and World Series.
Anderson, in short, was one of the biggest celebrity managers, ranking up there with Earl Weaver, Tommy Lasorda, Tony La Russa, Billy Martin, Dick Williams, Casey Stengel, and Jim Leyland, instantly recognized whenever he’d walk down the street.
But the thing that always impressed me the most was the sense of perspective that he maintained throughout his professional life as a superstar manager.
En route to winning 2,194 games as a manager and capturing three World Championships, he never lost his appreciation for what is really important. Perhaps his struggle as a player in the minor leagues was a big reason he never took wealth and celebrity status for granted.
