Phil Garner, a beloved MLB infielder known as “Scrap Iron,” who played for five teams over a 16-year career then enjoyed a second, 15-season career as a manager, has died at age 76 after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Tributes from his former teams began to pour in soon after the news of Garner’s death.
Garner’s passing was announced in a statement from his family, quoted by MLB.com.
“Phil Garner passed away peacefully last night, April 11, surrounded by family and love after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer,” the family statement read. “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. Luke’s and all the doctors and nurses for their excellent care and support.”
His crowning achievement as a manager was leading the 2005 Houston Astros to the first World Series in franchise history. The Astros lost to the Chicago White Sox in four games, and would not return to the Fall Classic until 2017 after shifting to the American League. The 2005 Series with Garner at the helm remains the Astros’ only World Series appearance as a National League team.
Tributes to Garner Pour In
The MLB Communications department quickly posted a tribute to Garner.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of three-time All-Star Phil Garner, who was 76. “Scrap Iron” played 16 seasons in the Majors with the Athletics, Pirates, Astros, Dodgers and San Francisco Giants and batted .472 during the 1979 Postseason en route to Pittsburgh’s World Championship. He later managed in the Majors for 15 seasons with the Brewers, Tigers and Astros, leading Houston to its first World Series appearance in 2005.”
“It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of former Pirates infielder Phil Garner,” the Pittsburgh Pirates wrote in a statement. “‘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 Detroit Tigers added their voices to the remembrances of Garner.
“The Tigers mourn the passing of former manager Phil Garner and share our condolences with his family and loved ones. Garner, a three-time 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 with the Tigers, our first manager at Comerica Park.”
The Tigers opened their Sunday game at Comerica Park against the Miami Marlins with a tribute to Garner on their big screen.
‘Scrap Iron’ Won World Series With Pirates
Born April 30, 1949, in Jefferson City, Tennessee, Garner was an Oakland Athletics first-round draft pick in 1971, out of the University of Tennessee. He played on the A’s 1974 team that won the World Series, but did not get to the plate in the postseason.
The following year, he appeared in the ALCS but went hitless in five at-bats as Oakland lost to the Boston Red Sox. However, after a 1977 trade to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Garner would go on to play an important role on the 1979 Pirates team that won the World Series. Almost five decades later, 1979 stands as the last World Series victory and appearance for the Pirates.
It was with the Pirates that Garner picked up the nickname “Scrap Iron,” given to him by Hall of Fame play-by-play announcer Milo Hamilton, the voice of the Pirates in 1979. In an interview with Hamilton, Garner’s teammate Willie Stargell described the second baseman as being as tough as “scrap metal.” Hamilton modified the description to “Scrap Iron” and the moniker stuck with Garner for the rest of his career.
Garner played until 1988, spending six full seasons with the Astros from 1981 until he became a free agent in 1987. He divided his final two seasons between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.
Phil Garner Dies at 76: Tributes Pour in For Beloved ‘Scrap Iron’