Sparky Anderson elected to Hall

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Sparky Anderson, the only manager to win World Series titles in both leagues, was elected today to the Hall of Fame. <br><br>The Veterans Committee, however, failed to elect anyone

Tuesday, February 29th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Sparky Anderson, the only manager to win World Series titles in both leagues, was elected today to the Hall of Fame.

The Veterans Committee, however, failed to elect anyone in the former major league player category. Bill Mazeroski, Mel Harder and Gil Hodges all had been candidates. Negro leagues star Turkey Stearns and 19th century second baseman Bid McPhee also were selected by the 14-man panel.

Anderson, who retired after the 1995 season, ranks third on the career victories list with 2,194. He guided Cincinnati to World Series titles in 1975 and '76 with the Big Red Machine, and he led Detroit to the championship in 1984.

On July 23, Anderson will become the 16th manager inducted into the shrine at Cooperstown, N.Y. He will be joined his former Reds first baseman, Tony Perez, and Boston catcher Carlton Fisk, both elected in January by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Longtime Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman also will be inducted.

McPhee played in the late 1800s for Cincinnati. He resisted wearing a glove until late in his career and hit .272 overall. The late Stearns was an outfielder started his career in 1923 for the Detroit Stars. The biggest surprise was the failure to elect Mazeroski, Hodges or Harder.

Anderson will be getting inside the doors of the Hall for the first time. He twice visited Cooperstown when his teams played there but never toured the shrine. "I always made myself a promise that I would never go inside the Hall of Fame unless I made it," he said recently.

Ted Williams, Stan Musial and the rest of the 14-man Vets panel could choose one person in each of four categories -- former major leaguers; a combination of managers, umpires, executives and Negro Leaguers; 19th century players and personnel; and Negro leaguers.

The Vets panel usually has 15 members. Buck O'Neil, however, was not able to attend this year's meeting because of a minor health problem that prevents him from traveling.

There was talk the Vets were going to pick former manager Dick Williams over Anderson. But Williams pleaded no contest after being arrested on an indecent exposure charge in January, and that seems to have derailed his chances for now.

Anderson, who turned 66 last week, was in his first year of eligibility. With a record of 2,194-1,834, he trails only Connie Mack (3,731) and John McGraw (2,784) for lifetime victories.

Anderson managed Cincinnati from 1970-78 and guided Detroit from 1979-95. Along the way, he won two other pennants and a pair of division championships. He is the only manager ever to top two franchises in career wins.

Ted Williams, an influential voice in the meeting room, was said to be pushing for Harder, 223-186 for the Cleveland Indians. "Mel Harder was a great pitcher," Williams said. "He had a great curveball, great control. He was so tough to hit against."

Harder is now 90, and some members wanted to see him on the Hall platform this summer.

Mazeroski, regarded by many as the best fielding second baseman ever, hit one of the most famous home runs in history. His bottom-of-the-ninth shot lifted Pittsburgh over the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. "I think Bill Mazeroski should be in the Hall of Fame. If they can show me a better second baseman, I don't know who he is," first-time committee member Hank Aaron said last year.

Hodges was been backed by an intense letter-writing campaign from fans nationwide. The late Brooklyn first baseman hit 370 home runs and also managed the 1969 Miracle Mets to the World Series title. Under panel rules, both accomplishments counted in his candidacy. Tony Oliva also was being considered for the first time. He batted .304 in 15 years with Minnesota and won three batting titles.