Former Brewers manager Phil Garner dies at age 76

Most of Phil Garner's Milwaukee Brewers teams never had a chance on the field. But thanks to the manager, they did have a personality. Garner, the gregarious and fiery former Brewers manager who remained the franchise's all-time managerial wins leader two decades after his departure, died April 11 at age 76.

He had been battling pancreatic cancer for more than two years. "The Brewers are saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Phil Garner," the Brewers said on Sunday, April 12 in a statement announcing Garner's passing. "Following a distinguished playing career, Phil served as our manager from 1992-99 and went on to manage the second-most games in franchise history.

"He was a very highly respected and beloved individual who was known for his caring nature, wisdom and sense of humor. Our deepest condolences go out to Phil's wife, Carol, and all of his family, friends and fans. " Garner compiled a record of 563-617 during his 7½ seasons overseeing the Brewers, a record that was the unfortunate byproduct of a particularly dire stretch of talent-thin Milwaukee baseball.

Still, his win total was highest in Brewers history until the 2021 season, when Craig Counsell surpassed the mark. "I am so sad to hear this news," said Tom Haudricourt, former Brewers reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who spoke with Garner's wife, Carol, shortly before he passed away. "I knew 'Gar' had the terrible cancer diagnosis but in true 'Scrap Iron' fashion, he fought it with all he had and lived much longer than doctors expected.