​Former major league pitcher and longtime pitching coach Phil Regan died on Wednesday, his attorney told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. He was 89 years old. Regan spent 13 seasons in the majors, beginning his career in 1960 with the Detroit Tigers. After six seasons with Detroit, he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1966, a year in which he delivered the finest performance of his playing days and earned his only All-Star selection. That season, Regan posted a league-best 1.62 ERA, went 14-1, appeared in 48 games—the most in the league—and notched 21 saves. The Dodgers captured the National League pennant that year but were defeated by the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.
Regan also spent time with the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox before retiring after the 1972 campaign. Over the course of his major league career, he compiled a 3.84 ERA across 551 games. Shortly after retiring, Regan moved into coaching, dedicating decades to teaching and evaluating talent as a coach or scout for six different major league organizations. He served as the Baltimore Orioles’ manager in 1995, a season in which the team finished 71-73 and placed third in the American League East.
Beyond his work in the big leagues, Regan contributed as a head coach at Grand Valley State University and spent nearly five decades in professional baseball as a coach or scout at various levels. His most recent major league position came in 2019 with the New York Mets. Regan also contributed to Team USA’s coaching staff during the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where the United States, managed by Tommy Lasorda, captured the gold medal.
Regan’s influence extended across multiple facets of the game, from his standout 1966 season with the Dodgers and his subsequent coaching roles to his leadership as Orioles manager and his long tenure in player development and scouting. His career reflects a deep commitment to baseball, spanning playing glory, strategic guidance, and mentorship at numerous levels of the sport. His passing marks the loss of a distinctive figure in baseball history, remembered for both his All-Star peak as a pitcher and his enduring contributions as a coach, adviser, and mentor to generations of players.