Phil Garner, the second baseman known as “Scrap Iron” for his rugged style of play and a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ World Series championship team in 1979, died of cancer Saturday.
The Pirates confirmed Garner’s passing in Woodlands, Texas. Garner was 76.
“Phil Garner was a fierce competitor, a respected leader and a cherished part of the Pirates family ,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement. “His contributions to the 1979 World Series championship team will forever be part of Pirates history. We always appreciated welcoming Phil back to Pittsburgh, and it was evident how deeply this city, this team, his teammates and our fans meant to him.
“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.”
Garner is survived by his wife, Carol; and sons, Eric and Tyler; and daughter, Bethany. He had six grandchildren.
Tyler Garner said in a statement that his father died Saturday night following a two-year fight with pancreatic cancer.
“Phil 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,” Tyler Garner said. “Special thanks to the Houston Medical Center, MD Anderson, Baylor St. Lukes and all the doctors and nurses for their excellent care and support.”
Garner enjoyed a 16-year Major League Baseball career as a player and had managing stints with the Milwaukee Brewers (1992-99), Detroit Tigers (2000-02) and Houston Astros (2004-07). He managed the Astros to a National League pennant in 2005.
Garner joined the Pirates in 1977 after spending his first four seasons with the Oakland Athletics. He was acquired in a nine-player trade and was a spark plug in the Pirates’ run to the World Series title in 1979.
He batted .293 with 11 homers, 59 RBIs and 17 stolen bases that season. Garner then batted .417 in the National League Championship series sweep of the Cincinnati Reds and hit .500 (12 hits in 24 at-bats) in the World Series as the Pirates overcame a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Baltimore Orioles in seven games. Garner drove in five runs in the World Series.
The Pirates sent Garner to the Astros in 1981 in a trade for second baseman Johnny Ray.
Garner spent nearly six seasons with the Astros, then played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants before retiring in 1988. In his career, Garner totaled 1,594 hits, 109 home runs and 738 RBIs in 1,860 games. A three-time All-Star selection, Garner also stole 225 bases.
As a manager, Garner compiled a 985-1,054 record in 15 seasons. He won 92 games in 1992, his first season managing the Brewers.
“He was a very highly respected and beloved individual who was known for his caring nature, wisdom and sense of humor,” the Brewers posted on X. “Our deepest condolences go out to Phil’s wife, Carol, and all of his family, friends and fans.”
He had an 89-win season in 2005 when the Astros lost to the Chicago White Sox in the World Series. He also managed the 2006 National League All-Star team.
The Astros celebrated Garner last May, on his birthday, when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a game.
“He was competitive. He was honest. He told you the truth. He made you accountable — all the great things that leaders do,” Hall of Fame first baseman Jeff Bagwell told MLB.com. “I think ‘Gar’ just did a tremendous job of that. You 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.”