Posted on 11/04/2010 11:08:54 AM PDT by TonyInOhio
Lasorda grew-up in Pennsylvania and Anderson grew-up in L.A.
The became good friends playing for the Montreal Royals.
Lasorda is actually 7 years older than Sparky.
RIP
Your right. It was another manager who grew up in LA. I think he told the story on the Carson Show, so it was a long time a go that I heard it.
R.I.P.
It was Billy Consolo. The Rancho Playground was next to the MGM lot. There’s an SI article where Sparky talks about it. Consolo couldn’t confirm it, but he thinks Spanky played as too.
Consolo use to tell a story about how he stole one of Ted Williams bats buy hiding it in his pant leg. Consolo and Anderson played on the same high school team. Consolo also told a lot of stories.
RIP Thanks for the ‘84 Tigers.
The best team that Sparky ever managed in an individual season was the 1984 Detroit Tigers. They began with a 35-5 record, won the American League East (before the beginning of the wild card), and ALCS, and won the World Series against San Diego in 5 games.
One of the most memorable things from that World Series was the at bat of Kirk Gibson against Rich “Goose” Gossage. Sparky and Gibson put a quick bet on after the pitching coach of SD went to the mound and discussed about pitching to him or intentionally walking him. Sparky waved 2 both hands out saying he is going to walk you, then Gibson hit a fastball into the Upper Deck in Right Field at Tiger Stadium.
Sad news. He was an all-time great and a classy guy — a good “baseball man”, as they say.
RIP.
Could not agree more. Being an Ohio kid in the mid 70’s was magical. The Reds and Dodgers battling out the Western division (Why the Reds were Western and the Cubs Eastern I don’t know) Sparky was fantastic. Miss ya, and prayers for #10.
The Spark has gone.
May he rest in peace. Prayers for his family.
Here’s the link: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/40010619/ns/sports-baseball/
Prayers!!! Sparky.....and the Big Red Machine - ah - those were the days. As someone who grew up in the days of the Big Red Machine in Cincinnati (well - Mason), Ohio - well - what more can I say. Rest in Peace, Sparky.
...thanks for all the memories Sparky, RIP!
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