Sparky’s Number Retired
It was a great day today, at Comerica Park, as the Tigers retired Sparky Anderson’s number eleven. A great manager in any league, he was the first to win a World Series in both the National and American leagues.
In 1984 he led the Tigers to a World Series win over the San Diego Padres. It was their first series title since ‘1968′. In ‘1987′ they lost in the ACLS series to the Minnesota Twins.
During the ceremony today at the COPA, players from Sparky’s tenure were there to pay tribute. From my vantage point in the press box, when his number eleven was uncovered on the wall, it brought a tear to my eye.
I was able to interview some of the players I grew up watching in my youth. The 1984 team was a force, with a 35-5 start on the season they never looked back.
