CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 15: A Chicago Cubs grounds crew member cleans off the Chicago Cubs logo prior to game one of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on October 15, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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The Chicago Cubs were among the many teams who took note of the news that a former star player, whose career at the top of the sport as a player and coach spanned more than seven decades, died on Wednesday.
And while his career touched numerous franchises, fans of the Cubs will recall that he enjoyed perhaps his greatest single campaign as a member of their favorite team.
Former Chicago Cubs MVP Candidate Phil Regan Dies After Legendary Career
Few pitchers remained connected to Major League Baseball for as many decades as Phil Regan. Nicknamed “The Vulture” during his playing career, Regan transitioned from an accomplished big league pitcher into a respected coach and manager.
On Wednesday, news surfaced that he had died.
“Longtime pitching coach Phil Regan, whose career in baseball spanned seven decades, died today, his attorney, Matt Blit, told ESPN,” according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. “Regan was 89. He managed the Baltimore Orioles for one year and served as pitching coach with the (Seattle) Mariners, Cubs, (Cleveland) Indians and (New York) Mets, among others.”
Regan joined the Cubs in 1968 in a trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he earned an All-Star bid two seasons before. In his first season with Chicago, he earned MVP Award votes and earned his second-career Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award after leading the sport in total games finished and total saves.
Former Chicago Cubs Star Phil Regan Fought Alleged New York Mets Discrimination In Court
As Passan noted, Regan’s influence on the game hardly ended after his final appearance as a player.
After retiring with the Chicago White Sox, he went immediately into a coaching career that included several notable stops and accomplishments. He won a Dominican League championship and a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics. And the Mets brought him on as an interim pitching coach in 2019.
When the Mets opted not to bring him back, though, he filed a lawsuit against them.
“Phil Regan sued the New York Mets and former general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, alleging age discrimination and wrongful termination when he was moved out as pitching coach after the 2019 season,” ESPN reported in 2023. “Regan, a former big league pitcher … also claimed harassment and hostile work environment in a complaint filed … in New York Supreme Court in Queens.”
Although that legal dispute generated significant attention, Regan’s legacy is likely to be defined by his remarkable longevity and contributions to the sport. From All-Star reliever to award-winning bullpen ace, manager and pitching coach, he remained a fixture in MLB across multiple generations, earning widespread respect throughout the game.
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