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Anderson's Birth
George Lee Anderson was born on February 22, 1934 in Bridgewater South Dakota. -
Moves to California
Anderson moved to California with his family. While in California he was bat boy for the University of Southern California's baseball team. (Anderson is in the center of the front row in the picture) -
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Playing Career
Anderson was drafted by the Booklyn Dodgers in 1953 right after graduation. Anderson did not come to much as a player in baseball as he spent most of his career in the minors. He did get his first chance in the Majors in 1959 and played the whole season with the Philadelphia Phillies. He did not have a very good season and was sent back to the Minors the next season and would eventually spend the next 4 seasons in the Minors until his retirement as a player. -
First Job as Manager
After being spotted during practices while a player. The owner of Sparkys Minor League team noticed his ability to teach players. He then offered Sparky the job as Manager for the Triple A team at the young age of 30 -
Manager of the Cincinnati Reds
Reds Hire Anderson Anderson was hired to the Manager of the Cincinnati Reds. His first job as a manager in Major League Baseball. Also he was reunited with General Manager Bob Howsam who hired him in the Minors for a couple of different teams -
First World Series
The Red's won 108 games during the regular season in 1975. They faced the Boston Redsox in the World Series and defeated them in 7 games. This gave Spaky his first World Series Championship. -
Back to Back Champions
The Red's would win 102 games during the regular season. Anderson and the Reds breezed through the post season ultimately to face the New York Yankees in the World Series. The Reds would defeat the Yankees for their second straight World Series Championship -
Detroit Tigers
Anderson takes over a young Detroit Tigers team. Anderson who was always confident in his teams and players proclaims that the Tigers would win the pennant within the next 5 years. -
World Series for Detroit
Anderson's Tigers won 104 games during the regular season. That is a franchise record of the Tigers. They went on to face and beat the San Diego Padres in 5 games to win his 3rd World Series. -
Anderson's Retirement
Sparky Retires Anderson after 25 years of being a Manager for 2 teams retires from Major League Baseball -
Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame Speech Anderson was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2000. He went into the HOF as a Cincinnati Reds in honor of Bob Howsam who gave him his first job. -
Anderson's Death
Tiger Players Remember Sparky Commentary on Sparky as well as short interview George Lee "Sparky" Anderson passes away at the age of 76. His dementia was making life hard on him and was placed in Hospice Care on November 3rd and he passed away the next day.
