Baseball great Phil Garner dies aged 76 after cancer battle

Phil Garner, the three-time All-Star infielder who famously led the Houston Astros to their inaugural World Series appearance, has died at the age of 76. His family confirmed on Sunday that Garner passed away on Saturday following a battle with pancreatic cancer spanning over two years. "Phil never lost his signature spark of life," his son, Ty Garner, said in a statement.

"He was so well known for his love for baseball, which was with him until the end. " Known affectionately as "Scrap Iron" for his tenacious, blue-collar approach to the game, Garner enjoyed a distinguished 16-year playing career . He represented the Oakland Athletics (1973-76), Pittsburgh Pirates (1977-81), Astros (1981-87), Los Angeles Dodgers (1987), and San Francisco Giants (1988).

A pivotal member of the Pittsburgh Pirates' 1979 World Series championship team, Garner played 150 games that season, boasting an . 800 OPS. He was particularly instrumental in the postseason, batting an impressive .

417 in the National League Championship Series sweep of Cincinnati and a remarkable . 500 (12 for 24) in the World Series as the Pirates overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat Baltimore. Garner (right) enjoyed a glittering career (AP) His All-Star honors came in 1976 with Oakland and in 1980 and 1981 with Pittsburgh.