
The biggest question facing every WNBA team in training camp
WNBA training camps open with key questions for each team.
Phil Garner, a three-time All-Star second baseman and manager, passed away at 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was instrumental in the Pittsburgh Pirates' 1979 World Series win and led the Houston Astros to their first World Series appearance in 2005.
Phil Garner, the three-time All-Star second baseman whose "Scrap Iron" persona befitted both his personality as a player and manager, died Saturday, April 11 after a nearly three-year battle with pancreatic cancer, his family announced.
Garner was 76.
Garner played a crucial role on the most recent Pittsburgh Pirates World Series champions, the 1979 "We-Are-Fam-a-lee" crew that won a seven-game Fall Classic against the Baltimore Orioles, amassing 161 hits and an .800 OPS before getting 17 hits in 36 postseason at-bats.
As a manager, he piloted the Houston Astros to their first World Series appearance, a 2005 romp through the playoffs as an 89-win wild card before running into the Chicago White Sox, who swept Houston in four games.
Barret Robbins, football, 1973-2026
Matt Snell, football, 1941-2026
Troy Murray, hockey, 1962-2026
Bob Harlan, football, 1936-2026
Lou Holtz, football, 1937-2026
Dominiq Ponder, football, 2002-2026
Bruce Froemming, baseball, 1939-2026
Jeff Galloway, Olympics, 1945-2026
Rondale Moore, football, 2000-2026
Kara Braxton, basketball, 1983-2026
Bill Mazeroski, baseball, 1936-2026
Mike Wagner (right), football, 1949-2026
Doug Moe, basketball, 1938-2026
Tre Johnson, football, 1971-2026
Elroy Face, baseball, 1928-2026
Tracy Scroggins, football, 1969-2026
Barry Wilburn, football, 1963-2026
Terrance Gore, baseball, 1991-2026
Sonny Jurgensen, football, 1934-2026
John Brodie, football, 1935-2026
Kevin Johnson, football, 1970-2026
Wilbur Wood, baseball, 1941-2026
Phil Goyette, hockey, 1933-2026
Eddie McCreadie, soccer, 1940-2026
Dave Giusti, baseball, 1939-2026
Martin Chivers, soccer, 1945-2026
Billy Truax, football, 1943-2026
Jawann Oldham, basketball, 1957-2026
Robert Pulford, hockey, 1936-2026
1 / 29
Barret Robbins, football, 1973-2026
1 / 29
Barret Robbins, football, 1973-2026
2 / 29
Matt Snell, football, 1941-2026
3 / 29
Troy Murray, hockey, 1962-2026
4 / 29
Bob Harlan, football, 1936-2026
5 / 29
Lou Holtz, football, 1937-2026
6 / 29
Dominiq Ponder, football, 2002-2026
7 / 29
Bruce Froemming, baseball, 1939-2026
8 / 29
Jeff Galloway, Olympics, 1945-2026
9 / 29
Rondale Moore, football, 2000-2026
10 / 29
Kara Braxton, basketball, 1983-2026
11 / 29
Bill Mazeroski, baseball, 1936-2026
12 / 29
Mike Wagner (right), football, 1949-2026
13 / 29
Doug Moe, basketball, 1938-2026
14 / 29
Tre Johnson, football, 1971-2026
15 / 29
Elroy Face, baseball, 1928-2026
16 / 29
Tracy Scroggins, football, 1969-2026
17 / 29
Barry Wilburn, football, 1963-2026
18 / 29
Terrance Gore, baseball, 1991-2026
19 / 29
Sonny Jurgensen, football, 1934-2026
20 / 29
John Brodie, football, 1935-2026
21 / 29
Kevin Johnson, football, 1970-2026
22 / 29
Wilbur Wood, baseball, 1941-2026
23 / 29
Phil Goyette, hockey, 1933-2026
24 / 29
Eddie McCreadie, soccer, 1940-2026
25 / 29
Dave Giusti, baseball, 1939-2026
26 / 29
Martin Chivers, soccer, 1945-2026
27 / 29
Billy Truax, football, 1943-2026
28 / 29
Jawann Oldham, basketball, 1957-2026
29 / 29
Robert Pulford, hockey, 1936-2026
It was easily Garner's high-water mark as a manager, as he was often saddled with suboptimal talent in his eight years managing the Milwaukee Brewers and three seasons – 2000 to 2002 – with the Detroit Tigers.
"The Brewers are saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Phil Garner," the club said in a statement. "Following a distinguished playing career, Phil served as our manager from 1992-99 and went on to manage the second-most games in franchise history. He was a very highly respected and beloved individual who was known for his caring nature, wisdom and sense of humor. Our deepest condolences go out to Phil's wife, Carol, and all of his family, friends and fans."
Garner had 1,594 hits as a player, never hitting more than 17 home runs but twice eclipsing the 30-steal mark. His ability to max out his talent led to a 16-year major league career, debuting with the champion Oakland Athletics in 1973, establishing himself as a regular in 1975 and moving on to stops with the Pirates, Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, retiring after the 1987 season.
Yet his finest hour came with the Pirates, who are still searching for the magic that produced a championship behind the bat and ballast of Willie Stargell, yet moored in the contributions of players like Garner.
Phil Garner throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a 2025 game in Houston
Pirates owner Bob Nutting called Garner "a fierce competitor, a respected leader, and a cherished part of the Pirates family. His contributions to the 1979 World Series championship team will forever be a part of Pirates history.
"He will be remembered not only for the grit, passion and heart he brought to the game, but also for the way he carried himself as a devoted family man and respected member of the baseball community."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Phil Garner death: 'Scrap Iron' as MLB player, manager, dies at 76
Phil Garner played a crucial role as a second baseman, contributing 161 hits and an .800 OPS during the regular season and achieving 17 hits in 36 postseason at-bats.
As a manager, Phil Garner led the Houston Astros to their first World Series appearance in 2005, guiding the team through the playoffs as a wild card.
Phil Garner passed away on April 11 at the age of 76 after a nearly three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Phil Garner was nicknamed 'Scrap Iron,' reflecting his gritty personality as both a player and a manager.

WNBA training camps open with key questions for each team.

Check out the top 10 plays from Victor Wembanyama's record-setting season!

NBA 2026 Awards: Key Ballot Insights from Bontemps

10 NFL draft prospects to watch for fantasy football this year!

Get ready for the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs with our mega-preview of all 16 teams!

Spring football games feature 23 Power 4 matchups this weekend, with the ACC hosting eight and the SEC seven. Notable teams include Virginia Tech under new coach James Franklin and Michigan led by Kyle Whittingham.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.