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âScrap Ironâ Phil Garner, member of Piratesâ 1979 world title team, dies at 76
TL;DR
Phil Garner, a member of the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates World Series championship team, passed away on April 11 at the age of 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was known for his hard-nosed play and also managed several MLB teams, including the Houston Astros.
Phil Garner, a key member of the world champion 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates and an MLB manager, died on Saturday, April 11, his family announced.
Known as âScrap Ironâ for his hard-nosed play, Garner manned second base for the 1979 âWe Are Familyâ Pirates. Pittsburgh defeated the Baltimore Orioles in seven games to win the World Series.
Garner enjoyed a 16-year playing career for five teams. He also managed the Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros. Garner led the 2005 Astros to the AL pennant.
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âGarner passed away peacefully last night, April 11, surrounded by family and love after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer,â his family said in a statement, per MLB.com. âPhil 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.â
Garner played in three All-Star Games. He hit .260 with 109 home runs, 738 RBIs and 225 stolen bases in 1,860 games. He played for the Oakland Aâs, Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.
Garner thrived during the 1979 postseason for the Pirates. He batted .500 (12-for-24) in the World Series with four doubles, five RBIs and four runs scored. During an NLCS sweep of the Cincinnati Reds, Garner hit .417 (5-for-12) with a home run and four runs scored.
âPhil Garner was a fierce competitor, a respected leader, and a cherished part of the Pirates family,â said Pirates chairman Bob Nutting in a statement. âHis contributions to the 1979 World Series championship team will forever be part of Pirates history.â
Garner managed 2,040 MLB games during a 15-year career, turning in an overall record of 985-1,054-1. His 2005 Astros went 89-73 and won the NL crown before falling to the Chicago White Sox in the World Series.
Garner threw out the first pitch before an Astros game on April 30, 2025, which was his 76th birthday. Several of his former players shared their fondness for him.
âYou could see how much he cared about his players, cared about winning and our organization. It was just a pleasure to play for him and be his friend,â Astros Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell said.
Garner leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Carol, and three children: sons Eric and Ty and daughter Bethany. He also had six grandchildren.
Q&A
What teams did Phil Garner play for during his MLB career?
Phil Garner played for five teams during his 16-year MLB career, including the Pittsburgh Pirates.
How did Phil Garner contribute to the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates' World Series victory?
Phil Garner was a key player at second base for the Pirates, who won the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles in seven games.
What was Phil Garner's role after his playing career in Major League Baseball?
After his playing career, Phil Garner served as a manager for teams such as the Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, and Houston Astros, leading the Astros to the AL pennant in 2005.
