Phil Garner, a long-ago friend from my limited time as a baseball writer, has died at age 76. He lived at The Woodlands, outside Houston.

Garner was sometimes a second baseman but mostly played third for Bearden High, the University of Tennessee, the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros. He played briefly for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.

He played 16 seasons, became a major league manager and lasted 15 more. In 2005, he led the Astros to the World Series.

Garner was twice all-Southeastern Conference as a Vol and three times a MLB all-star. He hit .500 in a World Series and missed winning the MVP award by one vote.

He was a gritty competitor and respected leader. He never lost his love of the game. On top of all that, he was a really good guy.

Phil had the second-best nickname – Scrap Iron – among former Tennessee athletes. Best was Jack Reynolds’ Hacksaw. Third was Dewey Warren, the famous Swamp Rat.

Phil was rugged, fearless, aggressive and sometimes combative. There weren’t many little infielders, 5-8 and 170, ready and willing to take on the entire world. I always thought Phil had at least as much heart as talent. He had a passion for winning. He never stopped trying. He was the real deal, nothing plastic.

Pittsburgh teammate Willie Stargell put Phil’s handle in perspective.

“Besides being tough and competitive, Phil was like an old piece of scrap metal that could be beaten and bent, but never broken.”

My best Phil Garner story developed at a long-ago spring training in Bradenton, Florida. I was asking questions and he was giving good answers for a News-Sentinel story.

When I had enough notes, Garner suggested he introduce me (as if I was somebody) to other players. When we came to Dave Parker, the big black man was not properly impressed.

A racial shouting match broke out. Phil and Dave were suddenly taunting each other with words I can’t repeat in KnoxTNToday. I was stunned and took two steps back. A brawl seemed inevitable. Manslaughter was possible.

It was all an act, just for me, salt and pepper they called it. Both had been waiting for my reaction. They mimicked my expression. Other Pirates, a casual audience, laughed heartily. They recognized a country boy when they saw one. It was one of my best days around baseball.

I’ll tell you one more. Garner played for the Dodgers in 1987. Pitcher Mike Marshall, notorious for doing as little as possible, was standing around the cage during batting practice. Phil, natural leader and clubhouse policeman, suggested Marshall go shag balls in the outfield.

Marshall said Garner picked a fight. They had one, in the runway between the dugout and clubhouse. There was a lot of excitement, swinging and grappling and rolling around on the ground. It took another player, a coach and an usher to restore order.

Garner, then 38, survived with scratches and welts. He said, judging by the results, he was almost as good a fighter as hitter. He was batting .209 at the time.

Marshall, 6-5, 218 and 11 years younger, strolled toward the outfield as if nothing had happened. Other Dodgers, also fed up with the pitcher, congratulated Garner for doing what several wanted to do.

Several years ago, UT invited Garner back to campus for an honors program. The athletics department was going to retire his number. He didn’t remember what number he wore. He remembered once being the NCAA home run champion. He recalled a victory over Vanderbilt. He knew what he had to do to earn his degree in business.

Bud Ford found an answer is an old brochure. UT retired No. 18.

Bearden High’s baseball facility is or was named in Phil’s honor. There was a bronze bust out front. I hope it is still there.

Garner died of pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife, Carol, three children and six grandchildren. A celebration of life will occur later in Texas.

The Garners have been active with several charities in the Houston community. Most notably, they were co-chairs in a community effort that raised $175 million to build Texas Children’s Hospital, said to be one of the preeminent children’s medical facilities in the world.

Marvin West welcomes comments or questions from readers. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com

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