Former MLB Infielder and Manager Phil Garner Dies at Age 76

He was 76 years old. 389. He was selected for the American League All-Star team in 1976 while with the Oakland A's.

Garner played for five teams: the Oakland A's, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants. He was the third overall pick in the 1971 MLB Draft by the A's out of the University of Tennessee.

Garner became a regular player with the A's in 1975. In March 1977, Garner was traded from the A's to the Pirates in a nine-player deal. Two years later, in 1979, he contributed to the Pirates' victory over the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.

During that series, Garner recorded at least one hit in each of the seven games and set a record for second basemen with seven double plays.

Managerial Career Garner reached the postseason as a player with the Astros in 1981 and 1986.

He ended his playing career with the Giants in 1988 as a September call-up. After retiring, Garner joined the Astros' coaching staff in 1989. He began managing with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1992 to 1999.

Garner then managed the Detroit Tigers from 2000 to 2002. He took over the Astros in 2004 and led the team to its first World Series appearance in 2005, which was his only postseason as a manager. Garner managed the Astros until 2007, retiring with a record of 563 wins and 617 losses.

After his dismissal by the Astros in August 2007, he served as a special advisor for the A's.

Health and Legacy According to MLB.

com, Garner had been battling pancreatic cancer since 2024. In August 2025, he threw out the first pitch before a game between the Astros and Tigers in Houston. The event highlighted his contributions to baseball.