A former MLB favorite, "Scrap Iron" Phil Garner, died on Saturday at the age of 76.
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The family announced the news with a statement and said that he had passed away from pancreatic cancer. Major League Baseball also issued a release and said that he had been diagnosed in February 2024. Garner underwent numerous radiation and chemotherapy treatments over a span of two years.
"Phil Garner passed away peacefully last night, April 11, surrounded by family and love after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer," Garner's family said in a statement, per MLB.
We are saddened by the passing of Phil Garner, whose playing and managing careers spanned five decades in the game.
Garner played 16 years as a gritty infielder nicknamed “Scrap Iron.” A 3-time All-Star with the Athletics and Pirates, he went on to spend seven years with the… pic.twitter.com/yyKOA6AHon
— MLB (@MLB) April 12, 2026
"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."
A native of Tennessee, Garner spent 16 seasons in MLB. He played for the A's, Pirates, Astros, Dodgers, and Giants while earning All-Star honors three times. He led the league in 1975 with 160 games played. Garner also won the World Series with the Pirates in 1979 after scoring eight runs — one home run — in 10 games.
The veteran player moving into a new role after the 1988 season. He became a manager for the first time in 1992 as he took over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Garner led the Brewers for eight years while the team went 563-617. He then managed the Detroit Tigers from 2000-2002 as the team went 145-185.
Scrap Iron achieved the most success leading a team when he took over the Houston Astros in 2004. He led the Texas-based team for four seasons as it went 277-252. Most importantly, he led the Astros to its first World Series berth in 2005. The team did not win the championship, but this set the foundation for future success.
"On behalf of the Astros, Whitney and I send our heartfelt condolences to Phil's wife, Carol, their children and to his many friends, fans and admirers," Astros owner and chairman Jim Crane said in a statement.
"Phil Garner's contributions to the Houston Astros, the city of Houston and to the game of baseball will not be forgotten."
