BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Sparky Says It’s Great to Be a Tiger
Sparky Anderson, who reached his 1,000th managing victory with Detroit Friday night, will probably pass the 1,900 mark for his career this season. In 22 years with Cincinnati and Detroit, he has 1,863 victories, 10th on the all-time list led by Connie Mack’s 3,776.
Anderson took over the Tigers in 1979.
“Not to put down the other places I’ve been, but I’m happy I did it in Detroit,” he said. “I don’t believe any manager in the history of baseball has been treated like I’ve been in Detroit. I’ve been treated like a king, never once have I been questioned or told to do something. The front office has never interfered in 13 years.”
Detroit has changed its pitching rotation, inserting Dan Gakeler, a 27-year-old right-hander who will make his major league debut today against the Angels after seven years in the minor leagues with three organizations. He is taking the turn scheduled for John Cerutti, who is 0-2 with a 4.66 earned-run average.
Third baseman Gary Gaetti, who didn’t play Friday after undergoing oral surgery, was not in the lineup Saturday either. Trainer Ned Bergert said Gaetti’s mouth was still sore, but that it was the “manager’s choice,” that Gaetti sit out. . . . Left-hander Floyd Bannister, on the disabled list since May 20 with a sore shoulder, will throw on the side today and pitch a simulated game Tuesday.
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