DETROIT — Former Tigers and Reds manager Sparky Anderson has been placed in hospice care at his Thousand Oaks, Calif., home for complications resulting from dementia.
Anderson’s family said Wednesday they appreciate the support and kindness friends and fans have shown throughout the Hall of Famer’s career and retirement. No further details were released.
Anderson, 76, was inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame in 2000. He won 2,194 games as a manager, which was the third- highest total in major-league history when he retired, trailing Connie Mack and John McGraw. He now stands sixth, also trailing Tony La Russa, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre.
Beltre declines $10 million
BOSTON — Third baseman Adrian Beltre declined a $10 million player option that would have kept him with the Red Sox next year.
He will get a $1 million buyout and becomes a free agent after one season in Boston.
Footnotes.
The Rangers did not exercise a $9 million option for Vladimir Guerrero, who gets a $1 million buyout.
• The Athletics are bringing back infielder Mark Ellis and outfielder Coco Crisp for the 2011 season while cutting ties with third baseman Eric Chavez.
• The Mets picked up an $11 million option on shortstop Jose Reyes’ contract.
• The Padres declined an $8.5 million option on pitcher Chris Young for next season.
• The Nationals declined a $2 million option on second baseman Adam Kennedy.
• The Rays declined a $4.25 million option on right-hander Dan Wheeler and a $2.2 million option on infielder Willy Aybar.
• The Mariners will not exercise an $8 million option on left-hander Erik Bedard.
• Clyde King, whose baseball career as a player, coach, manager and front-office man spanned six decades, died in Goldsboro, N.C., after experiencing heart problems. He was 86.
• The Cubs said Ryne Sandberg will not return as manager of Triple-A Iowa next season.
The Associated Press
