Phil Regan (baseball player)
Encyclopedia
Philip Ramond "the Vulture" Regan (born April 6, 1937 in Otsego, Michigan
) is a former professional baseball player.
, and relief pitcher
for the Detroit Tigers
, Los Angeles Dodgers
, Chicago Cubs
, and very briefly, the Chicago White Sox
. He made 105 starts in his career, and pitched in 551 games.
His best season came with the Dodgers in when he went 14-1 with a 1.62 ERA
and 88 strikeouts in 116 innings pitched
as a reliever. That year, Regan's knack for earning wins in late-inning relief situations caused Sandy Koufax
to nickname him "The Vulture".
In his career, he went 96-81 with a 3.84 ERA and 92 saves. He accumulated 743 strikeout
s in 1372 innings pitched.
, Regan began his coaching career as the head coach at Grand Valley State University
, serving in this capacity until 1982
. The following year, he began coaching for Major League Baseball
, first serving as a minor league pitching instructor and advance scout for the Seattle Mariners
in 1983
, and then as the Mariners' pitching coach from 1984
to 1986
. In 1987
, he began a six year stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers
as their major league special assignment and advance scout. In the strike-shortened 1994
season, Regan again served as pitching coach, this time for the Cleveland Indians
. The following season, he served as manager of the Baltimore Orioles
, finishing with a record of 71-73. The remainder of his professional coaching career is summarized below:
Otsego, Michigan
Otsego is a city in Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,934 at the 2000 census. The city is within Otsego Township, but is administratively autonomous....
) is a former professional baseball player.
Early life and high school
Regan attended Wayland Union High School from 1951 to 1955 where he earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball.Professional playing career
Regan was a starting pitcherStarting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
, and relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, and very briefly, the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. He made 105 starts in his career, and pitched in 551 games.
His best season came with the Dodgers in when he went 14-1 with a 1.62 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and 88 strikeouts in 116 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
as a reliever. That year, Regan's knack for earning wins in late-inning relief situations caused Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax
Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
to nickname him "The Vulture".
In his career, he went 96-81 with a 3.84 ERA and 92 saves. He accumulated 743 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s in 1372 innings pitched.
Professional coaching career
In 19731973 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Oakland Athletics over New York Mets ; Reggie Jackson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 24 at Royals Stadium: National League, 7–1; Bobby Bonds, MVP-Other champions:...
, Regan began his coaching career as the head coach at Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University is a public liberal arts university located in Allendale, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1960, and its main campus is situated on approximately west of Grand Rapids...
, serving in this capacity until 1982
1982 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series Champion: St. Louis Cardinals*World Series MVP: Darrell Porter**American League Championship Series MVP: Fred Lynn**National League Championship Series MVP: Darrell Porter...
. The following year, he began coaching for Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, first serving as a minor league pitching instructor and advance scout for the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in 1983
1983 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Baltimore Orioles over Philadelphia Phillies ; Rick Dempsey, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Mike Boddicker*National League Championship Series MVP: Gary Matthews...
, and then as the Mariners' pitching coach from 1984
1984 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Detroit Tigers over San Diego Padres ; Alan Trammell, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Kirk Gibson*National League Championship Series MVP: Steve Garvey...
to 1986
1986 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Mets over Boston Red Sox ; Ray Knight, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Marty Barrett*National League Championship Series MVP: Mike Scott...
. In 1987
1987 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Minnesota Twins over St. Louis Cardinals ; Frank Viola, MVP**American League Championship Series: Gary Gaetti, MVP**National League Championship Series: Jeff Leonard, MVP...
, he began a six year stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
as their major league special assignment and advance scout. In the strike-shortened 1994
1994 in baseball
-Headline events of the year:As a result of a players' strike, the MLB season ends prematurely on August 11, 1994. No postseason is played...
season, Regan again served as pitching coach, this time for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. The following season, he served as manager of the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, finishing with a record of 71-73. The remainder of his professional coaching career is summarized below:
- 1996 - Managed Los Angeles Dodgers Triple-A affiliate Albuquerque (finished with a record of 67-76).
- 1997 - Served as Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
pitching coach (1997–1998). - 1999 - Served as Cleveland Indians pitching coach.
- 2000 - Served as Team USA pitching coach at Summer Olympics in SydneySydneySydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. - 2002 - Served as West Michigan WhitecapsWest Michigan WhitecapsThe West Michigan Whitecaps are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home games are played in Comstock Park, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids.-Franchise history:...
manager (2002–2003). - 1989-2009 Has managed different teams in the Venezuelan Winter LeagueVenezuelan Professional Baseball LeagueThe Venezuelan Professional Baseball League or Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional is the highest level baseball league in Venezuela.-Brief history:Baseball exploded in Venezuela in 1941, following the world championship in Havana....
for the past 18 seasons, including Leones del CaracasLeones del CaracasThe Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas...
, Navegantes del MagallanesNavegantes del MagallanesThe Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:...
, Cardenales de LaraCardenales de LaraThe Cardenales de Lara is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Founded in 1942 and based in Barquisimeto, the Cardenales have won four domestic titles, the most recent in 2001.-Notable players:* Luis Sojo* Luis Leal...
, Tiburones de La GuairaTiburones de La GuairaThe Tiburones de La Guaira are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, the Tiburones have won seven national championships since their founding in 1962.-History:...
. - Managed Leones del EscogidoLeones del EscogidoLeones del Escogido are a professional baseball team in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Established in , Leones are the third most successful teams from the Dominican Winter League, behind Tigres del Licey and Aguilas Cibaeñas, having won 13 national championships and 3 Caribbean Series.Leones...
to Dominican Championship in 1987-88 and 1988-89 (including winning the Caribbean World SeriesCaribbean World SeriesThe Caribbean Series , also called the Caribbean World Series is the highest baseball tournament at club level in Latin America. The league winners from the Winter Leagues of Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela participate in the tournament...
in 1988). - 2009 - St. Lucie MetsSt. Lucie MetsThe St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park...
pitching coach.
Info
- Led the league in saves three times in the late 60's
- National League all-starAll-starAll-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
in 1966 - Pitched 1 scoreless inning for the Dodgers in the 1966 World Series1966 World SeriesThe 1966 World Series matched the Baltimore Orioles against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, with the Orioles sweeping the Series in four games to capture their first championship in franchise history...
, where they were swept by the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
See also
- The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award is the oldest of three annual awards in Major League Baseball given to one player in each league who has reemerged as a star in that season. It was established in 1965...
- The Sporting News Reliever of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Reliever of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award was established in 1960 by The Sporting News as TSN Fireman of the Year Award. The award originally recognized the best closer from each league, but in 2001 the award was broadened to include all relievers...
- List of Major League Baseball saves champions
- List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders