Phil Garner, former MLB manager and 3-time All-Star, dies at 76

Before becoming a manager, Garner spent 16 years in the majors as a second and third baseman. He started his playing career with the Oakland Athletics, earning his first All-Star nod in his fourth and final year with the team.

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Garner then played five years with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he earned the nickname “Scrap Iron” for his tough demeanor. Garner played in 150 games in the 1979, when the Pirates won the World Series. He picked up his other two All-Star appearances in 1980 and 1981 during his time with the team.

Garner went on to play for three more teams, including a six-year stint with the Astros, who he would go on to manage.

After retiring from playing, Garner began his managerial career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1992, leading the team for eight seasons. Garner then spent three seasons as manager of the Detroit Tigers from 2000-2002, before being hired by the Astros partway through the 2004 season. He led Houston to its first World Series the very next season, with the team going 89-73 and winning the National League championship before being swept by the Chicago White Sox in the title game.

Garner amassed a 985-1,054 record across his managerial career. He held the Brewers’ franchise record for managerial wins until Craig Counsell passed him in 2022.

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Several MLB teams, who Garner played for or managed, honored the late infielder on social media, including the Pirates, Brewers, Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers (where Garner played for one season).