CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE July 20, 2000
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15626 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE July 20, 2000 almost $4 trillion—$3,882,013,782,955.74 nickname ‘‘Captain Hook’’ for his inno- the charitable organization has built (Three trillion, eight hundred eighty- vative employment of relief pitchers, an endowment of $4.5 million. When he two billion, thirteen million, seven which was not the common practice of founded CATCH, Mr. Anderson said hundred eighty-two thousand, nine the time. This combination of offense ‘‘there is nothing in this world that hundred fifty-five dollars and seventy- and strategic wizardry proved to be le- you will ever do that’s better than four cents) during the past 15 years. thal for opponents. In his first year helping a child.’’ The growth of this en- f with the team, the Reds won 102 games dowment will allow ‘‘Sparky Ander- and the National League Pennant. son’s Charity for Children’’ to continue ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS From 1972–76, the Reds averaged more helping children long into the future. than one hundred wins per season, won I thank Mr. Anderson for all that he MR. SPARKY ANDERSON IN- three more National League pennants, has done for the City of Detroit and the DUCTED INTO BASEBALL HALL and won back-to-back World Series State of Michigan. He spent his life in OF FAME Championships in 1975 and 1976. baseball quite simply because he loved After nine years in Cincinnati, Mr. the game, and he has never stopped be- ∑ Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise Anderson came to the Detroit Tigers in lieving that he is indebted to the game today to recognize Mr. George Lee 1979. The Tigers were struggling at the for the doors it opened for him, and the ‘‘Sparky’’ Anderson, who will be in- time, but possessed a core of young, life it afforded him. Perhaps his great- ducted into the National Baseball Hall talented players, including Jack Mor- est accomplishment, then, is having of Fame Museum in Cooperstown, New ris, Lou Whitaker, Alan Trammell and successfully given back to the game of York on July 23, 2000. Mr. Anderson Lance Parrish. Mr. Anderson molded baseball more than it gave to him, be- spent 26 seasons as a manager in the this group of unique personalities into cause he certainly has done this. He Major Leagues, 17 of these with the De- a team of champions. In 1984, just five stands out as one of the best ambas- troit Tigers. During this time, he was years after his arrival, the team start- sadors for baseball in the history of the recognized not only as one of the best ed 35–5—still the best 40-game start in game, a sports figure who managed to managers in the game of baseball, but the history of Major League Baseball— give as much to his community as he also as one of the best ambassadors for and never stopped their winning ways, did to his team. I know that he is loved the game of baseball. ultimately bringing the Detroit Tigers and revered in the State of Michigan Mr. Anderson was born on February their first World Series Championship not only because of the World Series 22, 1934, in Bridgewater, South Dakota. since 1968. Very few people in the City championship he helped bring to the Upon graduation from high school, he of Detroit have forgotten Kirk Gibson’s City of Detroit in 1984, but also because signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He home run off the San Diego Padres’ of the manner in which he handled spent six years in the minor leagues be- Goose Gossage in the eighth inning of himself over the course of his seven- fore being called up to the major Game 5, the hit which sewed up the se- teen years there. He became an impor- leagues by the Philadelphia Phillies in ries for the Tigers. tant part of the Detroit community— 1959. He was the regular second base- Mr. Anderson retired from managing his place there transcended wins and man for the Phillies that year, and was the Tigers in 1995, having led the team losses. recognized as an intelligent, hustling to one more pennant win in 1987. Ulti- I am sure that Mr. Anderson will player. He had a batting average of mately, in his 26 seasons as a Major enjoy this special occasion with his .218, 0 home runs and 34 runs batted in. League manager, nine with the Reds wife, Carol, who has been with him He earned the nickname ‘‘manos de and 17 with the Tigers, his teams won through the entire journey, and their oro’’ from his teammates: ‘‘the man 2,194 games, placing him third all-time, family. On behalf of the entire United with the golden hands.’’ behind just Connie Mack and John States Senate, I congratulate Mr. As it turned out, 1959 was the only McGraw. He was named Manager of the Sparky Anderson on his induction into year Mr. Anderson spent in the major Year three times, twice in the National the National Baseball Hall of Fame leagues as a player. He never left the League and once in the American this weekend. Though he will enter the game of baseball, though, and in 1964 League. He is the only manager in the Hall wearing a Cincinnati Reds uni- he became the manager of a minor history of the game to win a World Se- form, I know that the Detroit Tigers, league team in Toronto. In 1969, he ac- ries in both the American and National the City of Detroit and the State of cepted a coaching position with the Leagues; he is the only manager to win Michigan will always hold a special San Diego Padres, and prior to the 1970 100 games in one season in both place in his heart, just as Sparky con- season the Cincinnati Reds named him leagues; and he is the only manager to tinues to hold a special place in the as their manager. have over six hundred career victories hearts of millions of Michiganians.∑ It quickly became apparent that in each league. His 34–21 mark in the f managing suited Mr. Anderson well. postseason remains the best winning Not only did it provide him with the percentage for a manager in Major 26TH ANNIVERSARY OF TURKEY’S opportunity to utilize his immense League history. INVASION OF CYPRUS knowledge of the game of baseball, it During his seventeen years in De- ∑ Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise also highlighted his ability to relate to troit, Mr. Anderson became an impor- today to acknowledge the 26th anniver- and motivate players. Hall of Famer tant member of the community, and sary of the Turkish invasion and occu- Joe Morgan, a member of the Reds dur- not because his position as Manager of pation of Cyprus. Twenty-six years ago ing Mr. Anderson’s years there and now the Detroit Tigers. His involvement today, Turkey seized on a period of po- a wonderful and respected baseball with many charitable organizations led litical unrest in predominantly Greek commentator, once said, ‘‘Sparky had him to found his own in 1987. The orga- Cyprus and invaded its shores. Landing a way of making everybody look in the nization is called CATCH, Caring Ath- on the north coast of Cyprus with 6,000 mirror at themselves. As far as I’m letes Team for Children’s & Henry Ford troops and 40 tanks, nearly 40 percent concerned, that’s the key to being a Hospitals, but is better known as of the island was in Turkish control in good manager.’’ ‘‘Sparky Anderson’s Charity for Chil- less than a month, displacing 200,000 Under Mr. Anderson’s guidance, the dren.’’ The mission of CATCH is to im- Greek Cypriots from their homes. Reds became the dominant team of the prove the quality of life of pediatric pa- Today, there are still more than 1,600 1970’s. The team became known as The tients at Children’s & Henry Ford Hos- Greek Cypriots who remain unac- Big Red Machine for its ability to pitals in the State of Michigan. Since counted for, serving as silent reminders produce runs, led by such great offen- its inception, CATCH has issued grants of the unlawful invasion. Turkey con- sive players as Morgan, Pete Rose, to Children’s Hospital of Michigan and tinues to defy the international com- Johnny Bench, Tony Perez and Ken Henry Ford Hospital of Detroit for ap- munity and United Nations’ Resolu- Griffey, Sr. Mr. Anderson earned the proximately $1.4 million. In addition, tions with its policy towards Cyprus, VerDate Aug 04 2004 14:35 Nov 24, 2004 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR00\S20JY0.002 S20JY0.