Detroit Tigers: Top 10 Hall of Famers in Franchise History

Courtesy of aberdeensports.net (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon, File)

Sparky Anderson (1970-1995)

Anderson managed the Tigers from 1979 to 1995 and went 1,331-1,248 in his 17 years at the helm.

Tigers fans will always remember his best season, which came in 1984, when he led Detroit to a mark of 104-58. That record was 15 games better than everyone else in the American League.

Detroit made quick work of the AL Western Division Champion Kansas City Royals, sweeping them in three games, in the AL Championship Series. Then, the Tigers beat the San Diego Padres in five games to win their first World Series title since 1968.

Anderson took Detroit to the playoffs again in 1987, but lost to the Minnesota Twins in five games.

Still, Anderson was the first manager to win the World Series in both leagues. He won two World Series titles with the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1976. Only Tony La Russa has been able to repeat that feat since then.

Anderson also won the AL Manager of the Year award in 1985 and 1987. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.