George Lee "Sparky" Anderson Biography

Only the first name is needed referring to the baseball legend known as "Sparky." George Lee "Sparky" Anderson is one of those few people in sports or any walk of public life whose name tells it all.

Inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame in July 2000, Sparky not only left his mark on the game, he also has made a lasting impression on every person he has touched in life. He is only the 16th manager to be enshrined in Cooperstown.

After 26 years in the major leagues, the records speak for themselves. With 2,194 victories, Sparky stands as the third winning manager in history. Only Connie Mack (3,731) and John McGraw (2,763) finished with more. In addition to that lofty spot, Sparky joined Mack, McGraw and Bucky Harris for that distinction.

Sparky's major league managerial career included only two stops--true measure of longevity. From 1970 through the end of the 1978 season, he guided the Cincinnati Reds, a team that became known as the "Big Red Machine." Under his leadership, the Reds won five National League West Division titles, four pennants and two World Series. Cincinnati became only the third National League team and the first in 54 years to win back-to-back World Series in 1975 and 1976.

Sparky took over the Detroit Tigers midway through the 1979 season and stayed at the helm through 1995. Under his leadership, the Tigers won their first World Series in 16 years in 1984. They also took the American League East Division title in 1987.

Sparky Anderson is the only manager in history to lead two franchises in victories--Detroit (1,331) and Cincinnati (863). He is also the only manager to win a World Series in both leagues and the first to win 100 games in a season in both leagues.

Anderson was named Manager of the Year in the National League in 1972 and 1975. He received the same honor in the American League in 1984 and 1987. He was named to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. He was named to the Reds' Hall of Fame in 1999.

An ambassador for baseball, Sparky Anderson is a much sought after speaker for business and various other organizations. He is also a veteran of a variety of commercial projects and network television shows.

Sparky is the proud founder of CATCH (Caring Athletes Team for Children's and Henry Ford Hospitals). He created the charity in 1987 to aid underprivileged children in the Detroit area. Since its inception, Sparky has directed efforts which have led to an endowment now standing at more than $5 million.

George Lee "Sparky" Anderson Topics

• Team Unity
  
• The Essence of Winning
  
• Sparky's Baseball Stories