Sparky grew up with Tommy Lasorda. They played Sandlot baseball together. He was telling a story about how one day a limosine pulled up with a little Black kid in it. He was looking to play baseball. He had new bats, balls and catcher’s equipment. So they let him play. He continued to come by once week and play. His name was Buckwheat.
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.