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Big Red Machine Fans Mourning The Loss Of Sparky Anderson

George \"Sparky\" Anderson guided the Cincinnati Reds to back to back World Championships in 1975 and 1976. He also won the crown with the Detroit Tigers in 1984.
George \"Sparky\" Anderson guided the Cincinnati Reds to back to back World Championships in 1975 and 1976. He also won the crown with the Detroit Tigers in 1984.

By Cheri Lawson

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-933422.mp3

Highland Heights, KY – The white-haired Hall of Fame manager who directed Cincinnati's Big Red Machine to back-to-back World Series championships and won another in Detroit, died Thursday. He was 76.

Paul Daugherty, sports columnist for the Cincinnati Enquirer says Anderson's selflessness and willingness to concede the spotlight to his
players was a big part of his success in Cincinnati.

"He was the skipper of a team of superstars. He had Pete Rose, he had Johnny Bench, he had Joe Morgan, he had Tony Perez. Sparky Anderson was a true icon in this town and his passing is a sad day for all sports fans around here."

Anderson managed 26 seasons in Major league baseball . He won 2,194 games.

He died at his home in Thousand Oaks California from
complications of dementia.