Anderson Bids Adieu To Tigers, Hopes To Continue Managing

Sparky Anderson will always follow the Detroit Tigers. He just won’t manage them again.

Anderson, the winningest manager in Tigers’ history, resigned Monday after 17 years that included a World Series championship in 1984 and the American League East title in 1987.

Anderson, his eyes welling, made the announcement at a news conference packed with media, coaches, players and friends. He would like to manage another club, he said, but only a contender.

“If I’m not hired by next spring, that will be the end of it,” Anderson said. “I will not come out of retirement. If I’m not hired by next spring, I’ll stay home.”

Kevin Malone stepped down as general manager of the Montreal Expos, saying he wished to pursue other opportunities in baseball.

Malone unsuccessfully sought a commitment from ownership that it would increase the payroll for 1996.

The San Diego Padres accepted general manager Randy Smith’s resignation, ending his decade-long association with the team.

Smith apparently was unhappy with the working environment under CEO Larry Lucchino, a minority owner, who purchased the Padres with John Moores in December.

The Toronto Blue Jays made a number of personnel changes.

Alfredo Griffin will replace Bob Bailor as first-base coach, Willie Upshaw will replace Larry Hisle as batting coach and Mel Queen will replace Galen Cisco as pitching coach. Bench coach Gene Tenace replaces bullpen coach Dennis Holmberg in a cost-cutting move by the two-time World Series champs.

Wisconsin Gov. Tommy G. Thompson said a financing package for a $250 million Milwaukee Brewers stadium was at least five votes short of the Senate support needed for passage.