Former Athletics utilityman Tony Phillips dies at age 56
PHOENIX -- Tony Phillips, an infielder and outfielder who made the final defensive play in the Oakland Athletics' sweep of the San Francisco Giants during the earthquake-interrupted 1989 World Series, has died. He was 56.
The A's didn't provide a cause of death Friday in announcing Phillips' passing, which the club said occurred Wednesday in Arizona and was unexpected.
Former teammate Dave Stewart, however, told the San Francisco Chronicle that Phillips had died from an apparent heart attack.
"T.P. was like my little brother," Stewart told the Chronicle.
Tony Phillips had 48 home runs, 308 RBIs and a .250 batting average in his nine seasons with the Oakland Athletics. Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images
"The Oakland A's lost another member of our family this week with the unexpected passing of Tony Phillips," A's president Michael Crowley said in a statement. "We all have fond memories of Tony making the final play in the A's 1989 World Series. He was a remarkable player. Our thoughts are with his family."
Phillips played nine of his 18 major league seasons with the A's, and he also spent five years with the Detroit Tigers, two each with the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox and one year for both the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays. He returned to Oakland for his final season in 1999 and was a career .266 hitter with 160 home runs and 819 RBI in 2,161 games.
"Tony will forever be remembered by the fans because he made that last out, and it was a tough ground ball he made a great play on," former A's manager Tony La Russa told the Chronicle. "He had so much energy, he was so feisty, full of piss and vinegar -- nothing fazed him. And you could play him anywhere.
"He was still in great shape, he was down here at our camp three or four days a week. I'm just in shock."
3. "RIP to a helluva player" In response to Reply # 0
He was on the A's when I first started getting into baseball, and stuck around through the '89 Championship. He was my first exposure to a true "utility" player. Played great defense, which was an unsung facet of some of the A's teams in the '80s.
I know he had some serious substance abuse issues in the '90s, but it seemed like he got his life right and was deeply involved in the game even after he retired. Damn, he will be missed.
6. "RIP, a guy you had to see to appreciate" In response to Reply # 0
His numbers aren't gonna jump out at anyone in a future generation but you WIN with players like this. Versatile, consistent, dependable and tough. 56 is young, fuck.
And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
9. "prototype utility player of late 80s/mid 90s + GREAT at getting on base" In response to Reply # 0
played all over the field: 400+ games at 2nd base, 3rd base and LF, over 290 games at short, and over 160 games in RF
five 100+ BB seasons in six years, leading the league twice, averaged 107 walks over 8 seasons between 1990-97. If he played today he would've gotten alot more recognition for how good he was at getting on base.
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
Okay Sports
#/media/File:Firefly.png)
