Charity founded by Tigers manager supports pediatric patients

Legendary Detroit Tigers Manager Sparky Anderson was known for his warm personality, ability to motivate players, and a dynamic game strategy. The late Hall of Fame manager was the first to win the World Series in both leagues with the Tigers (1984) and the Cincinnati Reds (1975, 1976).

But his focus wasn’t only on baseball – he wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. Sparky found inspiration in a visit with his friend’s grandson who had leukemia. After that visit, Sparky reached out to Henry Ford Hospital and Tigers team physician Dr. Clarence Livingood and in 1987, they created CATCH, (“Caring Athletes Teamed for Children’s and Henry Ford hospitals”), dedicated to improving the quality of life for pediatric patients and their families.

CATCH fundraising began as a sports memorabilia auction with items signed by stars like hockey great Wayne Gretzky, quarterback Joe Montana and boxer Muhammad Ali. It now includes the CATCH Night of Champions, a golf outing, many third-party events and fundraisers, and an annual giving program.

In 2008, the CATCH Pediatric Needs Fund was established at Henry Ford Health to pay for medication, equipment and services not covered by insurance, and to support families in crisis when a child’s health or quality of life is impacted, with assistance for utility bills or rent. In 2023 and 2024, CATCH funded safe sleep education, infant sleep sacks, lactation equipment and Game On Cancer Kids Club outings thanks to grants totaling $610,000.

Executive Director Jim Hughes shared that over 38 years, CATCH has provided more than $11 million to support Henry Ford Health and Children’s Hospital of Michigan patients. “The way the money is used is designed exactly the way Sparky wanted it to be,” Jim said. “Every time we hear stories about how the funds helped kids, it reinforces the mission of CATCH. This is what it’s about.”

The charity’s work is perhaps summed up best by Sparky who was quoted as saying that CATCH was “the single best thing I ever did in Detroit.” And we couldn’t agree more!