Dana Wakiji
FOX Sports Detroit
When the news came out Wednesday that former Tigers manager Sparky Anderson was being placed in hospice care because of complications of dementia, it was clear that he wouldn't be with us much longer.
But no one expected it to happen so quickly.
Anderson passed away Thursday at his home in California at the age of 76.
While everyone in baseball mourned, those who knew him the best were the most affected.
Lance Parrish, who played for the Tigers from 1977-1986 and was on that '84 World Series team, said the last time he saw Anderson was at the 25th reunion of the '84 team in Detroit in September 2009. Parrish said he was shocked when he heard Wednesday how ill Anderson was because he seemed to be doing fairly well at the reunion.
"He seemed like he had been getting a little more frail as time went on, but he still had that spark in his eye," Parrish said. "I had some good conversations with him."
Parrish said that when he was in California, he was able to spend time at Anderson's golf tournament and other charity events, and Anderson always returned the favor.
"He was not only my manager, I considered him a great friend," Parrish said. "He was very, very good to me and my entire family. He was very generous with his time. That made him even more special."
Anderson, who was known for his unique way of expressing himself, was truly one of a kind.
"I don't see anybody like him coming down the pike anytime soon," Parrish said. "He was very unique. He had a certain way about him, whether he was communicating with the media or with us as a team.
"He was a lot of fun. He didn't mince words, if you could understand him. He was just very special."
Parrish said Anderson loved the game of baseball and loved the people in baseball even more.
"What stands out to me, not only was he a very, very good manager -- he had concerns for his players and what they accomplished on the field -- but he wanted to see all the guys be good people" Parrish said. "He made great strides in our clubhouse in establishing that.
"He made no bones about it; he let everyone know he didn't want any bad people around him. I think everyone appreciated that."
Al Kaline, Tigers Hall of Famer and current assistant to the president, said in a statement: "Sparky was one of the greatest people I've met in baseball. He was a leader to his players both on and off the field. He was an incredible person and I cherish the time I was able to spend with him."
The Tigers also released a statement from Tigers owner Mike Ilitch.
"The baseball world lost one of its best today with the passing of Sparky Anderson," Ilitch said. "Marian and I and our entire organization extend our condolences to Sparky's family and friends.
"Those of us who had the privilege to know Sparky personally know how much he loved America's favorite pastime and how proud he was to be associated with baseball. His success as a manager, both with the Detroit Tigers and the Cincinnati Reds, was about far more than wins and losses, it was about the character of the man.
"He cared about his players, he loved the fans and he put his heart and soul into the community. He will always be a favorite among Tigers fans and an important and memorable part of this incredible sports town."
Although Tigers president, CEO and general manager Dave Dombrowski didn't get to work directly with Anderson, he knew him from his many years in baseball.
"Sparky was one of the most respected people in the game, and I was fortunate in getting to know him through the years," Dombrowski said in a statement. "There is so much to admire about Sparky, the manager, and the person. He exuded a spirit of inspiration for the game and life.
"It's great sadness for everyone that's ever known him, and for the baseball world to lose him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Carol, and the Anderson family."
Current Tigers manager Jim Leyland offered these thoughts in a statement: "Sparky was one of the most entertaining, enthusiastic managers that ever managed with the respect of everyone in baseball. He will be missed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with Sparky's family."
Parrish summed up what most people who knew Anderson were feeling on Thursday after they heard the news.
"It's a sad day," Parrish said. "The whole baseball world, everybody is going to miss him.
"I know I will."
Nov. 4, 2010
