Pete Incaviglia
Active Member
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2007
- Messages
- 4,000
Re: Sparky Anderson in hospice, suffers from dementia
I grew up outside Detroit. Grew up a Tiger fan. In 1987 I was 11. My dad took the family to Florida during spring training. We hit a Tigers game in Lakeland.
A few things about that day stand out. The first is Anderson. I remember him being on the field side of a chain link fence, leaning against it talking to fans; not only talking, but conversing in the most personable manner. He seemed genuinely interested in where every one of us was from, what we did - no matter the age. I was enthralled. I don't think I said a word, just watched and listen.
And, as a side, after the game, Kirk Gibson, who was a surly bugger back then, signed an autograph for my sister, age 9. It was one of like three he signed. We got the signatures near the team bus and Lou Whitaker, for whatever reason, invited my sister onto the bus to get autographs as the players boarded. He also signed his name Louis Whitaker, which I thought was odd at the time.
Anyway, just two small baseball stories.
I grew up outside Detroit. Grew up a Tiger fan. In 1987 I was 11. My dad took the family to Florida during spring training. We hit a Tigers game in Lakeland.
A few things about that day stand out. The first is Anderson. I remember him being on the field side of a chain link fence, leaning against it talking to fans; not only talking, but conversing in the most personable manner. He seemed genuinely interested in where every one of us was from, what we did - no matter the age. I was enthralled. I don't think I said a word, just watched and listen.
And, as a side, after the game, Kirk Gibson, who was a surly bugger back then, signed an autograph for my sister, age 9. It was one of like three he signed. We got the signatures near the team bus and Lou Whitaker, for whatever reason, invited my sister onto the bus to get autographs as the players boarded. He also signed his name Louis Whitaker, which I thought was odd at the time.
Anyway, just two small baseball stories.
