[kellyhound]

Phil Regan, a former All-Star pitcher who later managed the Orioles and spent decades as a pitching coach for teams including the Cubs and Mets, has died at age 89 on Wednesday.

The righty made his MLB debut with the Tigers in 1960 and spent six seasons in Detroit before stints with the Dodgers, Cubs and White Sox.

His best season came in 1966, when he went 14-1 with a 1.62 ERA and had an NL-best 21 saves during an All-Star campaign with the Dodgers that led to him being named both the Sporting News NL Reliever of the Year and the publication's NL Comeback Player of the Year.

Two years later, in a season split between the Dodgers and Cubs, he led the Majors with 27 saves and earned his second NL Reliever of the Year honor. Regan retired after the 1972 season with a 96-81 record, a 3.84 ERA and 92 saves.

After his retirement as a player, Regan made the transition into coaching, starting with Grand Valley State College, where he coached from 1974-82.

He later held MLB coaching jobs with Seattle (1984-86), Cleveland (1994, '99) and the Cubs (1997-98). Regan was named manager of the Orioles ahead of the 1995 season and led the team to a 71-73 record and a third-place finish in the AL East.

He also spent time as a pitching coach in the Minors with the Mets and eventually was named the team's Minor League pitching coordinator. In 2019, at age 82, Regan was named the Mets' interim pitching coach.

Regan's coaching career also included a stint as pitching coach with Team USA during the 2000 Summer Olympics.

In February 2023, Regan filed a high-profile age discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit against the New York Mets and their former general manager, Brodie Van Wagenen.

In June 2019, at age 82, Regan took over as the Mets' interim pitching coach. Under his guidance, an underperforming pitching rotation dramatically improved, lowering its collective ERA from 4.67 to 4.24 by the end of the season.

Despite his success, the Mets chose not to retain him for the 2020 season. The lawsuit explicitly alleged that Van Wagenen callously told Regan he was not being brought back because he was "too old".

The Mets subsequently hired Jeremy Hefner, who was 33 years old at the time.

Regan’s attorney, Matthew Blit, noted that instead of being rewarded for a masterful performance, Regan was tossed aside, offered a minor league contract at reduced terms, and subjected to a hostile work environment via salary and housing allowance cuts.

Known widely as a pitcher whisperer, players and coaches have fondly recalled his legendary mound visits, where he was celebrated for his unique ability to calm pitchers down with unparalleled wisdom and a class-act demeanor.

Former teams like the Dodgers, Cubs, and Tigers have paid tribute to his incredible 1966 All-Star season and his unique nickname—given to him by Sandy Koufax—celebrating his legacy as one of the game's greatest relief pioneers.

Statements from across the league have highlighted his incredible longevity, emphasizing that he dedicated seven decades of his life to baseball as a player, scout, manager, Olympic gold medal coach, and mentor.

Phil Regan finished his 13-season Major League Baseball playing career with a 96–81 win-loss record, a 3.84 ERA, 92 saves, and 743 strikeouts across 551 games.

[Ady347]

Who cares, it's just silly boy's rounders

[Mr.NoCredit]

Originally Posted by Ady347 ↗

Who cares, it's just silly boy's rounders

Lots of people who are baseball fans care. He was a good coach to many. All sports are silly especially any sport that has a ball in it.