"The nicest man I ever met in major league baseball just went into hospice care."

[Faygo Kid]

The nicest man I ever met in major league baseball just went into hospice care.

Time passes, and sometimes that stinks.

The news came Wednesday about Sparky Anderson, who once pushed the buttons on the Big Red Machine. Something about complications from dementia. His family put out a statement expressing “appreciation to all friends and fans for the support and kindness they have shown throughout Sparky’s career and retirement.”

Kindness? If all the sports world was as kind as Sparky Anderson, there would be no ugly headlines. There would be never be unsightly behavior or embarrassment to the game. Know what there would be a lot of?

Talking. Goodness, how the man could talk. . .

http://www.freep.com/article/20101103/SPORTS02/101103074/1318/Ailing-Sparky-Anderson-a-nice-guy-who-finished-first

[kick-ass-bob]

1. I was heartbroken when I heard this today.

I love Sparky :)

[elocs]

2. I grew up as a huge Reds fan during the Big Red Machine years.

It was great. What a team and Sparky was great. When Captain Hook came out to the mound if you were the pitcher you just handed him the ball and leave.

[gateley]

3. He's in good hands. I can't tell you how wonderful hospice helpers were

when my parents were dying. It's sad to see him in this condition, but he's being well looked after, if it's any consolation. :hug:

[KatyaR]

4. This is such sad news.

He is truly a baseball legend.

[driver8]

5. The Big Red Machine was my favorite team of all time!!

Very sad to hear this about Sparky Anderson...

[Davis_X_Machina]

6. A Zen adept, too.

He used to tell Kurt Gibson "Pain doesn't hurt."

[brewens]

7. I started calling a friend of mine Sparky a long time ago. He was

a big Reds fan and loved it. Everyone still calls him that. Few know it was really because he started a grease fire in his house and burned up his kitchen:)

[hamerfan]

8. K&R!

I'm a lifelong Giants fan, but my stepdad loved the Big Red Machine in the 70s.
Help your local hospice if you can, either with money or time. They are incredible!

[radiclib]

9. Ironic.

I think it was my last post, a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=215&topic_id=161948&mesg_id=162262

Sparky exuded genuine warmth. This is so sad.

[bluedigger]

10. He is a true gentleman.

Sparky's Big Red Machine left me devastated in '75, but I always thought he was a class act. Go well, Sparky!

[Colorado Liberal]

11. Wishing him well

I grew up in Thousand Oaks, and our town's claim to fame (for a baseball fan in school in the 70s) was that Sparky Anderson lived in our hometown. I was never really a Reds fan, or a Tigers fan, but it always put a smile on face when a team that Sparky was managing did well (which was often).

I'll keep Sparky in my prayers.

[provis99]

12. if he was nice, why was he nicknamed "Sparky"?

There's some cognitive dissonance going on there. Sparky is a name reserved for a hot-tempered guy who explodes in anger regularly.

[Divine Discontent]

13. thanks to my Mom, I realized how good a guy he was, & he was missed by the Reds when he left.

What a great guy, and kindness and mercy will follow him when he leaves for the afterlife...