Sparky and Me: My Friendship with Sparky Anderson and the Lessons He Shared About Baseball and Life
Praise forSparky and Me:Ewald… fondly remember[s] the generosity of an American icon.  His homage to his friend and ‘come-to-life cartoon figure’ who ‘demolished the English language more thoroughly than a wrecking ball’ brings the great manager to life.” –Publishers Weekly “There are dozens of great anecdotes from Anderson’s days as manager of the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970s and the Tigers in the eighties and nineties. A moving tribute to a very special friendship.” --Booklist "Like a wizard, Sparky Anderson was white-haired and wise, and sitting with him was like visiting with an oracle.  Dan Ewald, who spent more time with Sparky than any of us, beautifully captures the magic of Sparky’s wit, humor, and humanity in these pages.  All baseball fans should read it.” -- Mitch Albom,New York Timesbestselling author ofTuesdays with MorrieandHave a Little Faith “No one understood Sparky better than Dan Ewald. Managing people in a scope far broader than a pennant race is a rare quality, and Sparky understood people, their insecurities, their motivations. This is a great read, a great understanding of the humanity of playing baseball.” –Peter Gammons, MLB Network“For decades, it seemed like everyone in baseball knew Sparky Anderson, and almost all of us considered him a friend.  But few knew him as Dan Ewald did.  Here, Dan provides a unique look at an endearing man who led a significant life both in and out of the game.” –Bob Costas, NBC Sports and MLB Network“Dan Ewald takes all of us who love Tigers baseball back to some of the best summers we’ve ever had.  Dan brings to life his pal Sparky Anderson, one of the best old boys of summer who ever lived.” –Elmore Leonard,New York Timesbestselling author ofRaylan"Sparky taught all of us the right way to play the game and how to act like a professional. No one was closer to Sparky than Dan Ewald. The stories that Dan shares show the character of the man we all love." --Alan Trammell, Detroit Tigers legend"Sparky cared about us as ball players, but more importantly as husbands, fathers and men. He was the greatest influence on all of our lives. Everything I do today I owe to Sparky." --Kirk Gibson, Detroit Tigers great and Arizona Diamondbacks manager“I could listen to the great Sparky Anderson talk all day about anything.Sparky and Memade me feel like I was sitting right next to him, learning his life lessons. Wonderful.” --Tim Kurkjian, ESPN“The stories and recollections are priceless. But larger, much larger, is the relationship between Sparky Anderson and Dan Ewald that created most of the stories in this fine book. The friendship was special and, at the end of the day, that’s what this book is all about. You are going to love it.”  – Hall of Fame Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman "InSparky and Me, Dan Ewald brings to life the most beloved baseball manager of the past 50 years and reminds us why we (and our sport) miss him so. But the book's enduring beauty lies in the heartfelt story of two best friends -- one famous, one not, both down- to-earth and loyal to their last breath. This is unlike any baseball book I've read."-- Tom Stanton, author ofThe Final SeasonandTy and the Babe