Alex Grammas, longtime Tigers coach, Sparky's 'right-hand man,' dies at 93. Story from @TonyPaul1984 https://t.co/5Ch1VSYqdr pic.twitter.com/u6wnetHBke
— Detroit News Sports (@detnews_sports) September 16, 2019
Alex Grammas, mainstay on Sparky Anderson’s coaching staffs, died last week at age 93, the Detroit News has reported.
Alex Grammas, who spent 12 seasons as the Detroit Tigers’ third-base coach and was widely considered one of the nice men in baseball, has died.
He died at his Birmingham, Alabama, home Friday, his former catcher in Cincinnati, Johnny Bench, said over the weekend. Grammas was 93.
Grammas was on Sparky Anderson’s staff in Detroit frpm 1980 through 1991.
“He was Sparky’s right-hand man,” said Dan Petry, who pitched for the Tigers from 1979-87, and again from 1990-91.
Among the responses to the news on Twitter:
Longtime #Tigers coach Alex Grammas has died at 93. His wife died last year. They were married almost 70 years. https://t.co/x82WslqMRU
— Tony Paul (@TonyPaul1984) September 16, 2019
@MLB @Reds @tigers We have lost the best friend and coach baseball ever. #alex grammas is now sitting on the bench with Sparky. He left us last night. Got called up to the big show! I loved that man! RIP.
— Johnny Bench (@JohnnyBench_5) September 14, 2019
What Johnny Bench, Marty Brennaman, Chris Welsh and Jim Day said about Alex Grammas, third base coach of the Big Red Machine who died at 93: https://t.co/B6Z9jTjepg
— Enquirer Sports (@ENQSports) September 15, 2019
The Hall of Fame remembers @Cardinals, @Reds and @Cubs infielder Alex Grammas, who passed away on Friday, Grammas was also a longtime coach with Sparky Anderson for the Reds and @Tigers. Photo: Doug McWilliams pic.twitter.com/mymMbhXUgt
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) September 17, 2019
It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of two-time All-SEC performer Alex Grammas, who helped MSU win two SEC titles and make the first NCAA postseason appearance in school history. His legacy stretches far beyond the game of baseball.#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/TZKPr0xP8H
— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) September 16, 2019
We are saddened by the loss of ASHOF Inductee Alex Grammas. Born in Birmingham in 1926, he had a 38-year career in the major leagues that included playing and coaching for multiple MLB teams. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/Oi9fxgnwcg
— Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (@ASHOF) September 16, 2019
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Image: Detroit Free Press file photo