Phil Garner, a three-time All-Star infielder and longtime manager who led the Houston Astros to their first World Series, has died at age 76. Garner passed away on April 11 after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, his family said. He was surrounded by loved ones at the time.
Garner's family announced that he passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, surrounded by family after more than two years fighting pancreatic cancer, diagnosed in February 2024. They thanked Houston Medical Center, MD Anderson, Baylor St. Luke's and medical staff for their care. Garner never lost his passion for baseball, they said in a statement. The Astros honored him with a ceremonial first pitch on his 76th birthday, April 30, 2025, attended by former teammates and players he managed in Houston. The nickname 'Scrap Iron,' given by Hall of Fame announcer Milo Hamilton during their time with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the late 1970s, captured Garner's gritty style. Born April 30, 1949, in Jefferson City, Tennessee, he played 16 MLB seasons from 1973 to 1988 with the Oakland A's, Pirates, Astros, Dodgers and Giants, earning three All-Star nods. Key highlights included batting .293 with 11 homers for the 1979 World Series champion Pirates, going 12-for-24 in the Fall Classic, and a .309 postseason average overall. Garner managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 1992 to 1999, the Detroit Tigers briefly in 2000-2002, and the Astros starting mid-2004. With Houston, he sparked a turnaround, winning the 2004 NL Wild Card and the 2005 NL pennant, the team's first World Series appearance. His career managerial record stood at 985-1,054. Tributes poured in from baseball figures. Astros owner Jim Crane said Garner's contributions to the team, city and sport endure. Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell called him competitive, honest and caring. Pirates chairman Bob Nutting praised his grit and role in their 1979 title. The Brewers lauded his wisdom and humor. Garner is survived by wife Carol, married 55 years, sons Eric and Ty, daughter Bethany, and six grandchildren.
