Very sad to hear about Sparky. The funniest thing about him is he always looked so much older than he really was, but I guess time has finally caught up. He was a true character of the game, and his fading presence will be sorely missed. It's been a rough year for the Yankees in terms of losing key figures, but the Tigers have been hit hard too.

Sparky has already left us. RIP.

Very sad. Sparky was one of those figures who stood out in my childhood memories; for me he was synonymous with the Tigers (don't remember a thing about him as Reds manager). He also always reminded me of Poopdeck Pappy with his crustiness. And a baseball name you'll never forget.

[1/3] exactly. very sad. sparky always seemed ancient to me. and i always equate him with the tigers. baseball is losing so many key figures lately, it seems. sad.

Very sad indeed. RIP Sparky. A lot of the good ones left us this year.

i grew up in detroit. i wasn't a baseball fan as a kid (loved the lions - ha!) but sparky is the face of tiger baseball for me.

and ernie harwell was the voice. not just the voice of baseball. the voice of summer.

tough year for detroit. on a lot of levels.