Longtime MLB pitcher and pitching coach Phil Regan died Wednesday, his attorney, Matt Blit, told ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
He was 89.
Regan spent 13 seasons in the big leagues with the Tigers, Dodgers, Cubs and White Sox, debuting in 1960 and retiring after the 1972 season before moving into a lengthy coaching career.
He made his first and only All-Star team in 1966 with the Dodgers, when he became a force out of the bullpen for Los Angeles, logging 21 saves while going 14-1 with a 1.62 ERA across 65 appearances.
After his playing days, Regan managed the Orioles for one season in 1995 and served as a pitching coach for several organizations, including the Mariners, Cubs, Indians and Mets.
Regan’s final major league coaching stop came with the Mets in 2019, when he was named interim pitching coach at 82 after the franchise fired Dave Eiland.
Before taking over the big league staff, Regan worked in the Mets’ minor league system, including as an assistant minor league pitching coordinator and as pitching coach for Single-A Port St. Lucie from 2009-15.
He played a key role in the development of the Mets’ young crop of arms during that period, including Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler.
Regan finished his playing career with a 96-81 record, 3.84 ERA and 92 saves across 551 appearances.
He earned the nickname “The Vulture” for his penchant for his habit of stealing wins while coming into the game late as a reliever.
In 2023, Regan sued the Mets, alleging age discrimination and wrongful termination after he was not retained following the 2019 season.
The lawsuit claimed former general manager Brodie Van Wagenen told Regan he would not return because he was “too old.”
