Sparky Anderson Quotes

Success isn't something that just happens - success is learned, success is practiced and then it is shared.

Casey (Stengel) knew his baseball. He only made it look like he was fooling around. He knew every move that was ever invented and some that we haven't even caught on to yet.

People who live in the past generally are afraid to compete in the present. I've got my faults, but living in the past is not one of them. There's no future in it.

Me carrying a briefcase is like a hotdog wearing earrings.

Every 24 hours the world turns over on someone who was sitting on top of it.

Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year.

Baseball is a simple game. If you have good players and if you keep them in the right frame of mind then the manager is a success.

The players make the manager, it's never the other way.

Inner peace is not found in things like baseball and world championships. As long as I feel I've done the best job I possibly could, I'm satisfied.

They say the first World Series is the one you remember most. No, no no. I guarantee you don't remember that one because the fantasy world you always dreamed about is suddenly real.

Am I a great manager? Huh. I was blessed to have a front office that found great talent, and then I was smart enough to stay the hell out of their way.

If I ever find a pitcher who has heat, a good curve, and a slider, I might seriously consider marrying him, or at least proposing.

No manager ever won no ballgames.

I don't know why the players make such a big fuss about sitting in the first class section of the plane. Does that mean they'll get there faster?

Good seasons start with good beginnings.

I've changed my mind about it (DH) - instead of being bad, it stinks.

The great thing about baseball is when you're done, you'll only tell your grandchildren the good things. If they ask me about 1989, I'll tell them I had amnesia.

The trick is to realize that after giving your best, there's nothing more to give.

Explaining why he was forced to cut a utility player: You just got caught in a position where you have no position.

Pete (Rose) doesn't run with celebrities and he can't stand the phonies. His big buddy in LA ain't Sinatra, it's a funny old groundskeeper.

It's a terrible thing to have to tell your fans, who have waited like Detroit's have, that their team won't win it this year. But it's better than lying to them.

Managing is not running, hitting, or stealing. Managing is getting your players to put out one hundred percent year after year.

I don't believe a manager ever won a pennant. Casey Stengel won all those pennants with the Yankees. How many did he win with the Boston Braves and Mets?

Players have two things to do. Play and keep their mouths shut.

I don't want to embarrass any other catcher by comparing him to Johnny Bench.

A baseball manager is a necessary evil.

The only reason I'm coming out here tomorrow is the schedule says I have to.

Success is the person who year after year reaches the highest limits in his field.

We're the best team in baseball, but not by much.

I only had a high school education and believe me, I had to cheat to get that.

I understand people who boo us. It's like going to Broadway show, you pay for your tickets and expect to be entertained. When you're not, you have a right to complain.

Problem with (John) Wockenfuss getting on base is that it takes three doubles to score him.

He's (Willie Stargell) such a big strong guy he should love that porch. He's got power enough to hit home runs in any park, including Yellowstone.

A player does not have to like a manager and he does not have to respect a manager. All he has to do is obey the rules.

You're gonna lose some ball games and you're gonna win some ball games and that's about it.

The trick is to realize that after giving your best, there's nothing more to give... Win or lose the game is finished. It's over. It's time to forget and prepare for the next one.

He's (Jose Canseco) built like a Greek goddess.

Mike Laga will make you forget about every power hitter that ever lived.

The day I got a hit off (Sandy) Koufax was when he knew it was all over.

My idea of managing is giving the ball to Tom Seaver and sitting down and watching him work.

If you have to choose between power and speed and it often turns out you have to make that choice, you've got to go for speed.

Pete Rose is baseball.

I hope the car they (Sport Magazine who awarded it to the World Series MVP) give him (Brooks Robinson) has an extra large glove box.

You can be whoever you want to be, you just have to want it bad enough.

Chris Pittaro is the best rookie I've had in 15 years.

Our pitching could be better than I think it will be.

I'm beginning to see Brooks [Robinson] in my sleep. If I dropped a paper plate, he'd pick it up on one hop and throw me out at first.

Players have two things to do: Play and keep their mouths shut.

We're the best team in baseball. But not by much.