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

Former MLB manager and player Phil Garner died Saturday after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, his family announced in a statement. He was 76.

Garner, a longtime MLB infielder and three-time All-Star, pivoted to a 15-year career as a manager. After stints with the Milwaukee Brewers and Detroit Tigers, Garner led the Houston Astros to their first pennant in 2005.

Three-time All-Star and longtime MLB manager Phil Garner has died at age 76.

Garner played 16 seasons in MLB and managed 15 more, leading the Astros to the NL pennant in 2005. pic.twitter.com/Gz2LQkvroY

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 12, 2026

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.

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.

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).

It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of former Pirates infielder Phil Garner.

"Scrap Iron” was a beloved member of the Pirates family as he spent five of his 16 Major League seasons playing with the Pirates (1977-1981), capturing a World Series championship in… pic.twitter.com/qqNnVVGCqv

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 12, 2026

The Brewers are saddened to learn of the passing of Phil Garner pic.twitter.com/NLHqhxhm2P

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) April 12, 2026

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

The Dodgers mourn the passing of longtime MLB player and manager as well as former Dodger infielder Phil Garner. Our condolences to his loved ones.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 12, 2026

In addition to posting a statement honoring Garner, the Brewers also held a moment of silence before Sunday’s home game against the Washington Nationals, via MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy.