Phil Garner, a World Series winner with the Pirates and former Astros manager, died Saturday after a fight with pancreatic cancer. He was 76.

“Phil Garner passed away peacefully last night, April 11, surrounded by family and love after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer,” his family announced in a statement. “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.”

Phil Garner was a longtime Major League Baseball infielder and manager known for his grit, leadership and deep ties to the game.

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Born April 30, 1949, in Tennessee, Garner earned the nickname “Scrap Iron” for his tough, hard-nosed style of play. He made his MLB debut in 1973 with the Oakland Athletics and quickly became part of a championship roster, helping the team win the World Series that same year.

Garner is best remembered for his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he was a key contributor to the club’s 1979 World Series title. A steady second baseman, he was known for his defense, clutch hitting and leadership during Pittsburgh’s “We Are Family” era.

Over his 16-season playing career, Garner also suited up for the Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee Brewers, finishing with more than 1,500 hits and a reputation as one of the game’s toughest competitors.

After retiring as a player, Garner transitioned into managing, leading several teams including the Brewers, Detroit Tigers and Astros. His most notable managerial run came in Houston, where he guided the Astros to the franchise’s first-ever World Series appearance in 2005.

Per the New York Post, Garner finished his managerial career with a 277–252 record and went 13–13 in postseason play.

As a player, he posted a .260 batting average, tallying 1,594 hits, 299 doubles, 225 stolen bases, 109 home runs and 738 RBIs over his career.