Editing Sparky Anderson (section)

==Death and legacy==
Anderson was the first manager to win a World Series for both a [[National League (baseball)|National League]] and [[American League]] team. Either manager in the 1984 Series would have been the first to win in both leagues, since [[San Diego Padres]] (NL) manager [[Dick Williams]] had won the series with the [[Oakland Athletics]] (AL) in [[1972 World Series|1972]] and [[1973 World Series|1973]]. Williams' 1972 club had defeated Anderson's Reds club.

Anderson's accomplishment was equaled in the [[2006 World Series]], when [[St. Louis Cardinals]] manager [[Tony La Russa]]{{snd}}who had previously won the World Series with the [[Oakland Athletics]] in [[1989 World Series|1989]], and who considers Anderson his mentor{{snd}}led his team to the title over the [[Detroit Tigers]]. Coincidentally, having won a championship while managing the [[Florida Marlins]] in [[1997 World Series|1997]], Tigers manager [[Jim Leyland]] could have achieved this same feat had the Tigers defeated La Russa's Cardinals in the 2006 World Series. During that series, Anderson threw out the [[ceremonial first pitch]] of Game 2 at [[Comerica Park]], the Tigers' home park.

In 2006, construction was completed on the "Sparky Anderson Baseball Field" at [[California Lutheran University]]'s new athletic complex.<ref>{{Cite web |title=George "Sparky" Anderson Field & Ullman Stadium |url=http://www.clusports.com/recruits/facilities/george-anderson/index |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008153915/http://www.clusports.com/recruits/facilities/george-anderson/index |archive-date=2017-10-08 |website=[[Cal Lutheran Kingsmen and Regals|California Lutheran University Sports]]}}</ref> Anderson had used his influence to attract notable players to the university baseball team,<ref>Hekhuis, Mary (1984). ''California Lutheran College: The First Quarter-Century''. Thousand Oaks, CA: California Lutheran College Press. Page 96.</ref> and he was also awarded the Laundry Medal by the university for being "an inspiration to youth."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carlisle |first=Jim |date=August 12, 2013 |title=Carlisle: Back in a simpler time, Cowboys made Cal Lutheran their home |url=http://archive.vcstar.com/news/carlisle-back-in-a-simpler-time-cowboys-made-cal-lutheran-their-home-ep-292455311-351642611.html/ |website=[[Ventura County Star]]}}</ref>

On November 3, 2010, it was announced that Anderson had been placed in [[hospice]] care at his [[Thousand Oaks, California|Thousand Oaks]] home because of his deteriorating [[dementia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5759008 |title=Sparky Anderson placed in hospice care |publisher=ESPN |date=2010-11-03 |access-date=2011-10-05}}</ref> Anderson died the next day at the age of 76 in Thousand Oaks.<ref name="ESPN AP bio"/> He was survived by his wife of 57 years, Carol, sons Lee and Albert, daughter Shirlee Engelbrecht, and eight grandchildren.<ref name="ESPN AP bio"/> Carol died at age 79 on May 7, 2013, at home in Thousand Oaks.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_23197962/carol-anderson-widow-sparky-anderson-dies | title=Carol Anderson, widow of Sparky Anderson, dies | publisher=[[Associated Press]] | work=[[San Jose Mercury News]] | date=May 8, 2013 | access-date=July 5, 2016}}</ref>

On June 26, 2011, the Detroit Tigers retired Anderson's number 11. Tiger players also wore commemorative patches on their uniform sleeves all season.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mayo |first=David |date=25 June 2011 |title=Lessons from Sparky Anderson still resonate with Diamondbacks' Kirk Gibson, Alan Trammell |url=http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2011/06/lessons_from_sparky_anderson_s.html |access-date=2011-10-05 |work=The Grand Rapids Press |publisher=MLive.com}}</ref><ref name=":0" />