As I sit watching the world series I think back to 1987...My wife and I are the guardians of a boy who was born with physical and mental handicaps.His name is Jamie. At that time he was in Childrens Hospital in Detroit.He was there seven weeks.The doctors expected him to die and he almost did.One day my wife was in the room with him when in walked a man dressed in a suit.He introduced himself as Sparky Anderson manager of The Detroit Tigers.He was visiting the kids in the hospital.My wife told him that I was a big fan of him and the Tigers,and like him I was a pipe smoker.He then took a base ball out of his pocket,autographed it and gave it to her.I still have that ball on display in my living room.Sparky wasn't only a great manager he was a great person. A true pipe smoker..Jamie is doing well these days.
