Sparky Anderson in Hospice, Jocketty Wins Executive of the Year, Sweet Returns

Sad news comes from Thousand Oaks, California.

Sparky Anderson, the pilot of the Big Red Machine of the 1970's has been placed in hospice by his family for complications resulting from dimentia.

Anderson's wife Carol, sons Lee and Albert and daughter, Shirley Englebrecht, have expressed appreciation to all of those who have shown support and kindness throughout Anderson's career and retirement.

I got to know Anderson after his managing career ended.  He was one of the most down-to-earth people anyone would want to meet.  He and his wife Carol were always willing to stop and talk baseball or any other subject with people.

Anderson was an unknown and one of the youngest managers in baseball when he took over the Cincinnati Reds in 1970. He had just turned 36 when Bob Howsam named him to the post.  He led the Reds to the National League pennant in 1970, 1972, 1975 and 1976.  The Reds won back-to-back World Series in 1975 and 1976.

He was named to the Hall of Fame in 2000.  He won the Manager of the Year award in 1984 and 1987 as the manager of the Detroit Tigers, winning the World Series in 1984.

Good News For Reds Player Development

Rick Sweet will return as manager of the Louisville Bats in 2011.  Sweet, 58, is the all-time winningest manager in Louisville franchise history at 466-394. 

Sweet has been essential to the Reds player development effort.   Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Aroldis Chapman, Travis Wood, Chris Heisey, Drew Stubbs and Ryan Hanigan all have benefited from Sweet's guidence.

Sweet, who was Ken Griffey Jr's first professional manager, would make a fantastic major league skipper, if given the opportunity.   The Reds are fortunate to have him return along with his hitting coach, Smokey Garrett and pitching coach, Ted Power.  Tomas Vera, who was very helpful as Aroldis Chapman's interpreter, will also return as trainer.

Walt Jocketty was named Executive of the Year by the Sporting News today.

The Reds General Manager and President of Baseball Operations,  won the award for the third time.

He also won the award in 2000 and 2004 while with the St. Louis Cardinals.  It was the fifth time that a Cincinnati Reds executive won the honor.  Warren Giles won it in 1938.  Gabe Paul won in 1956.  Bob Howsam received it in 1973 and Bob Quinn in 1990.


Bob Feller Turns 92

Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller was born in Van Meter, Iowa on November 3, 1918.  The fireballing righthander know as "Rapid Robert" made his Major League debut in 1936 at the age of 17 with the Cleveland Indians.  When the season ended he returned home to finish high school.

He led the American League in strikeouts seven times, including a then Major League record 348 in 1946.

Feller, who still dresses in uniform and signs autographs, is the All-time Indians leader in wins (266), strikeouts (2,581), complete games (279), starts (484), and innings pitched (3,827).

His numbers would have been higher but he served in the Navy from 1941-1945 during World War II.

Also ret