Phil Garner, a World Series winner with the Pittsburgh Pirates who went on to manage three teams in Major League Baseball, has died at the age of 76.
He passed away after an ongoing battle with pancreatic cancer, his family have announced in a statement.
‘Garner passed away peacefully last night, April 11, surrounded by family and love,’ they said.
‘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. 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 was diagnosed with the disease in February 2024. On April 30 last year, his 76th birthday, he threw out the first pitch for the Houston Astros – one of the teams he managed and played for in his career.
As a player, Garner – who was nicknamed ‘Scrap Iron’ – was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 1973 before moving moving to Pittsburgh in 1977, where he won the World Series.
Phil Garner (right) a World Series winner with Pittsburgh Pirates, has died at age 76
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
‘”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 1979,’ the team said.
‘He batted .417 in the N.L. Championship Series that year and .500 in seven games against the Baltimore Orioles in the Fall Classic.’
He spent six years with the Astros from 81-87 and rounded out his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, retiring in 1990 after going unsigned the season before.
His management career began in 1992 with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he spent seven years.
‘He was a very highly respected and beloved individual who was known for his caring nature, wisdom and sense of humor,’ the Brewers said of Garner on Sunday.
After leaving Milwaukee in 1999, Garner spent two years with Detroit Tigers from 2000 and three years with the Astros from 2004-07.
MORE TO FOLLOW
