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Phil Garner, ex-Detroit Tigers manager, MLB All-Star, dies at 76
TL;DR
Phil Garner, former Detroit Tigers manager and three-time MLB All-Star, has passed away at 76. The Tigers honored him with a moment of silence at Comerica Park following his death announcement on April 12.
Former Detroit Tigers manager and three-time All-Star Phil Garner has died at the age of 76.
The Tigers announced his passing on social media on Sunday, April 12, and honored him with a moment of silence at Comerica Park before their game against the Miami Marlins.
"The Tigers mourn the passing of former manager Phil Garner and share our condolences with his family and loved ones," the team posted on "X" on Sunday.
Garner played 16 MLB seasons and then followed that up with 15 seasons as an MLB manager.
During his playing career, he made the All-Star team in 1976, 1980 and 1981 and won the World Series in 1979 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He retired as a player in 1988 and by 1992, he was managing the Milwaukee Brewers, a job he held for eight years.
The Tigers mourn the passing of former manager Phil Garner and share our condolences with his family and loved ones.
Garner, a 3x All-Star and World Series Champion during his 16-year playing career, went on to a successful 15-year big league managerial career including 2000-02… pic.twitter.com/gbXSAvnAx8
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 12, 2026
He arrived in Detroit for the 2000 season and spent two full seasons with the team but was let go after just six games in his third year as Luis Pujols took over and went 55-100 the rest of the way.
Garner was the Tigers' first manager at Comerica Park.
Andrew Birkle is an assistant sports editor at the Free Press. Contact him via email at abirkle@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Phil Garner, ex-Detroit Tigers manager, MLB All-Star, dies at 76
Q&A
What were Phil Garner's achievements in Major League Baseball?
Phil Garner was a three-time All-Star and won the World Series in 1979 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, playing 16 seasons in the MLB.
When did Phil Garner die and how did the Detroit Tigers honor him?
Phil Garner died on April 12, and the Detroit Tigers honored him with a moment of silence at Comerica Park before their game against the Miami Marlins.
How long did Phil Garner manage in Major League Baseball?
Phil Garner managed in Major League Baseball for 15 seasons after his playing career.
