Former Dodgers Pitcher and Mets Coach Phil Regan Dies at 89

Phil Regan, a former major league pitcher who later served as a pitching coach, died July 8. He was 89. His attorney, Matt Blit, told ESPN’s Jeff Passan that Regan had died.

Regan pitched from 1960 to 1972 for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox. He finished with a 96-81 record, a 3.84 ERA and 92 saves. He earned his only All-Star selection in 1966 with the Dodgers after posting a 14-1 record and 1.62 ERA. Teammate Sandy Koufax gave him a nickname for his ability to collect wins in relief.

After his playing days, Regan coached in the Seattle Mariners, Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Mets organizations. He managed the Baltimore Orioles during the strike-shortened 1995 season. He joined the Mets’ player development staff in 2009 and worked with pitchers including Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler.

In 2019, at age 82, he was named interim major league pitching coach.

“There was never a point where I had a sore arm. If you just keep doing it, the more you do it, keep doing it, keep doing it day after day -- I think Jim Kaat said you'll rust out before you wear out. He remained active in baseball instruction into his 80s and threw batting practice on his 80th birthday.”