Phil Garner, a member of the Pirates’ 1979 World Series championship team, has passed away, the team announced. He was 76 years old.
“Phil Garner passed away peacefully last night, April 11, surrounded by family and love after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer," a statement from Mr. Garner's son, Ty, reads. "Phil never lost his signature spark of life he was so well known for or his love for baseball which was with him until the end. Special thanks to the Houston Medical Center, MD Anderson, Baylor St. Lukes and all the Doctors and Nurses for their excellent care and support.”
Mr. Garner spent five of his 16 major-league seasons playing with the Pirates (1977-1981). He batted .417 in the National League Championship Series in 1979 and .500 (12-for-24) in seven games against the Orioles in the World Series. Nicknamed “Scrap-Iron” for his gritty and hard-nosed style of play, Mr. Garner hit a career-high 17 home runs in his first year with the Pirates in 1977 and was selected to the National League All-Star team in 1980 and 1981.
Mr. Garner went on to manage in his post-playing days. He was the manager of the Brewers for eight seasons (1992-1999), the Tigers for three (2000-02) and the Houston Astros for four (2004-07). He won 985 games during his managerial career, advancing to the World Series with the Astros in 2005, a year in which they lost to the White Sox.
THE ASYLUM
Garner passes away at 76
Phil Garner, a member of the Pirates’ 1979 World Series championship team, has passed away, the team announced. He was 76 years old.
“Phil Garner passed away peacefully last night, April 11, surrounded by family and love after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer," a statement from Mr. Garner's son, Ty, reads. "Phil never lost his signature spark of life he was so well known for or his love for baseball which was with him until the end. Special thanks to the Houston Medical Center, MD Anderson, Baylor St. Lukes and all the Doctors and Nurses for their excellent care and support.”
Mr. Garner spent five of his 16 major-league seasons playing with the Pirates (1977-1981). He batted .417 in the National League Championship Series in 1979 and .500 (12-for-24) in seven games against the Orioles in the World Series. Nicknamed “Scrap-Iron” for his gritty and hard-nosed style of play, Mr. Garner hit a career-high 17 home runs in his first year with the Pirates in 1977 and was selected to the National League All-Star team in 1980 and 1981.
Mr. Garner went on to manage in his post-playing days. He was the manager of the Brewers for eight seasons (1992-1999), the Tigers for three (2000-02) and the Houston Astros for four (2004-07). He won 985 games during his managerial career, advancing to the World Series with the Astros in 2005, a year in which they lost to the White Sox.
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