Memories

Last week Sparky Anderson passed away. Baseball fans know him as the manager of the Big Red Machine (Cincinnati Reds) in the 70's and later as manager of the Detroit Tigers. He is the only manager to win the World Series in both leagues-twice in the 70's with the Reds and in 1984 with the Tigers.

Whenever I think of Sparky Anderson, I think of great teams and October baseball. He had his share of losing teams, especially with the Tigers in the '90s. He was 76 when he died-I thought he was 76 when he first managed the Reds in 1970. He had this shock of grey hair that made him look twice his age. In truth, he was 36 when he first started with the Reds. He was a player's manager. In his Hall of Fame speech in 2000, he stated he was good because of his players. He just got out of their way.

In 1979, while watching TV, a news flash came on reporting that Sparky Anderson would become the manager of the Tigers. The first question was why? They had hired Les Moss to start the 1979 season and it was mid-June. The answer-he was available and interested. When you can get a hall of fame manager-do it. He took over in mid-season and immediately made the Tigers better culminating in a World Series championship in 1984. He managed another 10 years before retiring in 1995.

Are there people in the work place that bring good memories when you think of them? I often ask the following question in interviews: "Who was your favorite manager and why?" The answer is always immediate and telling. The body language changes, a smile comes across the candidate's face and they reminisce a bit. It also tells you how they like to be lead and whether there is a fit.

I know there are a lot of baseball players today remembering Sparky Anderson with fondness and appreciation. Most would say he brought out the best in them. Isn't that what a leader should do? Sparky, thanks for the memories and rest in peace.