Phil Regan, the former All-Star right-hander who built a long second act as a coach and manager, has died at 89.
Regan died Wednesday, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan, who cited Regan’s attorney, Matt Blit.
A Detroit debut in 1960 launched a career that stretched across six big league seasons with the Tigers before Regan moved on to the Dodgers, Cubs and White Sox. His peak came with Los Angeles in 1966, when he put together a 14-1 record, posted a 1.62 ERA and led the National League with 21 saves. That season earned him All-Star honors, along with recognition as The Sporting News NL Reliever of the Year and The Sporting News NL Comeback Player of the Year.
Regan did it again two years later. In a season split between the Dodgers and Cubs, he paced the majors with 27 saves and picked up his second NL Reliever of the Year award.
He finished his playing career after the 1972 season with a 96-81 record, a 3.84 ERA and 92 saves.
Regan then moved into coaching, beginning at Grand Valley State College from 1974-82. His MLB coaching stops included Seattle from 1984-86, Cleveland in 1994 and again in 1999, and the Cubs in 1997-98.
He also managed the Orioles before the 1995 season, guiding them to a 71-73 record and a third-place finish in the AL East.
Later, Regan worked in the Mets’ minor league system as a pitching coach and eventually became the organization’s Minor League pitching coordinator. In 2019, at 82, he returned to the big league level as the Mets’ interim pitching coach.
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