Career Timeline of Phil Garner: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Phil Garner built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Phil Garner is a former MLB infielder and manager. He played from 1973 to 1988 for the Athletics, Pirates, Astros, Dodgers, and Giants, winning the 1979 World Series with the Pirates. Garner managed the Astros from 2004 to 2007, guiding them to a World Series appearance in 2005.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1969: Led NCAA in Home Runs

In 1969, Phil Garner led the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in home runs with 12.

1970: Drafted by Montreal Expos

In 1970, Phil Garner was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the eighth round of the Major League Baseball draft, but he did not sign with them.

1970: Named All-American

In 1970, Phil Garner was named an All-American.

January 1971: Drafted by Oakland Athletics

In January 1971, Phil Garner was the second overall pick by the Oakland Athletics in the secondary draft.

1972: A's Did Not Win World Series

In 1972, the A's did not win the World Series for the first time since 1972. They also lost Catfish Hunter to the New York Yankees in one of the earliest free agency signings in modern baseball.

1973: MLB Debut

In 1973, Phil Garner began his Major League Baseball (MLB) career as an infielder.

1973: Played for Tucson Toros

In 1973, Phil Garner played for the Tucson Toros of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, batting .289 with 14 home runs and 73 RBIs.

1974: Minor League Career

From 1971 to 1974, Phil Garner played in the A's minor league system, playing mostly as a third baseman.

1974: Continued with Tucson Toros

In 1974, Phil Garner continued to play for the Tucson Toros, batting .330, and played sparingly when called up to the A's.

June 27, 1975: Got A's 10,000th Hit

On June 27, 1975, Phil Garner recorded the Oakland A's 10,000th hit against the Angels, with a double off Andy Hassler in Anaheim.

1975: Became A's Second Baseman

In 1975, Phil Garner became the A's second baseman after Dick Green was released, starting 159 games at second base with a .968 fielding percentage.

1976: Named All-Star

In 1976, Phil Garner had a breakout year for Oakland, hitting 8 home runs and having 74 RBIs. He was named an All-Star and stole a career-high 35 bases.

1977: Best Year as Player

In 1977, Phil Garner had his best year as a player, hitting 17 HR's, with 77 RBIs, 32 stolen bases, 35 doubles, and 99 runs.

September 15, 1978: Hit Grand Slam in Consecutive Games

On September 15, 1978, Phil Garner became one of only seven Major League players to hit a grand slam in consecutive games.

1979: Won World Series with the Pirates

In 1979, Phil Garner was a member of the World Series champion Pittsburgh Pirates. He batted .417 in the National League Championship Series and .500 in the World Series.

1979: Won 1979 World Series

In 1979, Phil Garner won the World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Baltimore Orioles as a player.

1980: Named All-Star Again

In 1980, Phil Garner was named an All-Star again, batting .259 with 5 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases.

August 31, 1981: Traded to the Houston Astros

On August 31, 1981, Phil Garner was traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Houston Astros for Johnny Ray and Randy Niemann.

1981: Named All-Star for Third Time

In 1981, Phil Garner was named an All-Star for the third and final time in his career, though his stats declined from previous years.

October 15, 1986: Played in Game 6 of NLCS

On October 15, 1986, Phil Garner was the Astros' starting third baseman in Game 6 of the NLCS, going 1-for-3 in a 16-inning loss to the New York Mets.

1986: Helped Astros Win Division Title

In 1986, Phil Garner helped the Houston Astros win a National League West Division title and reach the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

1987: Remained with Houston Astros

In 1987, Phil Garner remained with the Houston Astros.

1987: Traded to Los Angeles Dodgers

In 1987, Phil Garner was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who granted him free agency after the season.

1988: Played with San Francisco Giants

In 1988, Phil Garner spent a year with the San Francisco Giants.

1988: MLB Career Ended

In 1988, Phil Garner's MLB playing career ended.

1988: Cal Ripken Sr. Fired

Phil Garner was the fastest manager fired to start a season since Cal Ripken Sr. of the 1988 Baltimore Orioles.

1990: Announced Retirement

After going through 1989 without signing with anybody, Phil Garner announced his retirement from baseball in 1990.

October 30, 1991: Named Manager of Milwaukee Brewers

On October 30, 1991, Phil Garner was named manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, replacing Tom Trebelhorn. He was hired by general manager Sal Bando, his former A’s teammate.

1992: Running-Focused Style of Play

In 1992, Phil Garner installed a running-focused style of play for the Brewers, with every starter stealing at least 10 bases, including Rookie of the Year Pat Listach.

1999: Fired by the Brewers

In 1999, Phil Garner was fired as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers in the midst of the season, with a record of 52-60.

2000: Hired to Manage the Tigers

In 2000, Phil Garner was hired to manage the Detroit Tigers in their inaugural season at Comerica Park.

2002: Fired by the Tigers

In 2002, after the Detroit Tigers began the season 0-6, Phil Garner and general manager Randy Smith were fired.

July 14, 2004: Became Manager of the Astros

On July 14, 2004, Phil Garner became the manager of the Houston Astros.

2004: Led Astros to Wild Card Berth

In 2004, Phil Garner led the Houston Astros to a National League Wild Card berth, going 48-26 after taking over as manager.

2004: Brought in to Manage Astros

In 2004, Phil Garner was brought in to manage the Houston Astros after the All-Star break, replacing Jimy Williams.

October 9, 2005: Manager in 18-Inning Victory

On October 9, 2005, Phil Garner was the Astros' manager in their 18-inning victory against the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS.

2005: Jeff Bagwell Retires

In 2005, Jeff Bagwell retired from the Astros, contributing to the team's decline.

2005: Won National League Wild Card

In 2005, Phil Garner led the Houston Astros to another National League Wild Card and beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series to win the pennant before being swept by the Chicago White Sox in the World Series.

2005: Managed Astros to World Series Appearance

In 2005, Phil Garner managed the Houston Astros and led them to a World Series appearance.

July 11, 2006: Managed the National League All-Star Team

On July 11, 2006, Phil Garner managed the 2006 National League All-Star Team in Pittsburgh.

2006: Clemens and Pettitte Leave Astros

After 2006, Clemens and Pettitte left the Astros for New York, further weakening the team's roster.

2006: Astros Missed Division Title

In the last twelve games of the 2006 season under Phil Garner's leadership, the Astros won ten of twelve but lost out on a division title by a game and half.

August 27, 2007: End of Astros Manager Tenure

On August 27, 2007, Phil Garner's tenure as manager of the Houston Astros ended.

2008: Garner Serves as Interim Head Coach for UHV Jaguars

In 2008, Phil Garner served as interim head coach for the UHV Jaguars baseball team of the University of Houston–Victoria, temporarily replacing Terry Puhl.

2008: Contract extended

Phil Garner's contract was extended through the end of the 2008 season by the Houston Astros, but his coaches were replaced.

2009: Garner Interviewed for Astros Managerial Job

In 2009, Phil Garner was interviewed for the Astros managerial job after Cooper was fired, but Brad Mills was ultimately hired.

August 11, 2011: Garner Re-joins the Athletics

On August 11, 2011, Garner agreed to re-join the Athletics as a Special Adviser.

2012: Garner's Continued Role with the Athletics

Garner returned for the 2012 season as a Special Adviser with the Athletics.

2018: Longest World Series Game

Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, managed by Phil Garner, was the longest World Series game in length of time (five hours and forty-one minutes) until it was surpassed by Game 3 of the 2018 World Series.

2022: Craig Counsell Passed Him in Wins

With a record of 563-617 as manager, Phil Garner led the Brewers for most wins and losses as a manager until Craig Counsell passed him in wins in 2022.