Statement from Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on Sparky Anderson’s passing

“It wasn’t easy for him to do, but a humble and witty Sparky Anderson delivered in spades when he was enshined in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 with Sherry Robertson and John Haar.  His accomplishments in the Major Leagues speak for themselves, but Sparky’s legacy in Canada will never be forgotten.  After playing six of his ten minor league seasons in Canada with the Montreal Royals and Toronto Maple Leafs, and having been voted the International League’s Smartest Player five times, it was fellow inductee Jack Kent Cooke who offered him his first managerial job with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1964.  He will be missed and we offer our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and fans.  Sparky turned on the charm and delivered a dynamic and memorable speech in St. Marys three years ago, and as a tribute to him, that speech will be exhibited in our museum throughout the 2011 season.” — Tom Valcke, President & CEO, Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum