Sparky Anderson, the legendary MLB manager who guided the Cincinnati Reds to a World Series victory over the Boston Red Sox in 1975, died on Thursday, just one day after being placed under hospice care due to complications from dementia. He was 76.
Anderson managed the Reds from 1970-78 and then led the Detroit Tigers from 1979-1995. He won the World Series three times (1975, 1976 and 1984), and was twice named the American League Manager of the Year (1984, 1987).
Upon hearing the sad news, baseball beat writers and reporters briefly expressed their feelings on Twitter.
Sports Illustrated's Joe Posnanski:
RIP Sparky Anderson, one of baseball's greats. It's like Pete Rose always said: "We'd have done anything for the man."
Boston Globe's Pete Abraham:
Sparky Anderson, for no good reason, couldn't have been nicer to me when I was kid sent to cover a game. Never forgot that.
MLB.com's Red Sox beat writer Ian Browne:
Covering Sparky Anderson's Hall of Fame induction in 2000 was a very fond memory. A decade ago, he was so full of life and energy. Sad news.
CNSNE.com's Sean McAdam:
RIP to Sparky Anderson, a great manager and occasional master of malaprop. Fave Boston restaurant? That would be "Lethal Seafood.''