Hall of Fame baseball manager Sparky Anderson dies at 76

[News_Editor]

Hall of Fame baseball manager Sparky Anderson dies at 76

2010-11-05 02:37:39 GMT+7 (ICT)

THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA (BNO NEWS) -- Legendary and Hall of Fame baseball manager Sparky Anderson died at the age of 76 due to complications from dementia, a family spokesman said on Thursday.

Anderson, who won two World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1975, as well as one with the Detroit Tigers in 1984, had been living at his home in Thousand Oaks, California, before being placed in hospice care one day before his death.

"The Anderson family -- wife, Carol; sons Lee and Albert; and daughter Shirley Englebrecht -- wishes to express appreciation to all friends and fans for the support and kindness they have shown throughout Sparky's career and retirement," the Anderson family said in a statement.

Anderson played with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1959, and in his only season in the major leagues, he batted .218. He later made a move into management, beginning his career in the minor leagues before joining the Reds in 1970.

In 1995, Anderson retired from baseball while managing the Tigers, racking up a total of 2,194 victories throughout his career. His number 11 jersey has not been used since, even though it has not been officially retired. He was placed in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.

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