KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Western Michigan baseball program mourn the passing of Phil Regan, who recently passed away at the age of 89.

A native of Otsego, Mich., Regan came to WMU after earning varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball at Wayland High School. The righty spent one year in Kalamazoo before signing with the Detroit Tigers in 1956. He would go on to make his Major League debut with the Tigers on July 19, 1960. 

Regan pitched in 551 games, including 105 starts. He finished his career with a 96-81 record to go along with a 3.84 ERA and 743 strikeouts. He led the NL in saves during the 1966 season, finishing the year with a 14-1 record and 1.62 ERA for the Los Angeles Dodgers. That helped him earn National League Fireman of the Year and National League Comeback Player of the Year honors while making his first All-Star appearance. Following the season, Regan finished seventh in the league's MVP voting. 

The Michigan native continued that success, as he led the NL in saves during the 1968 season. With a 12-5 record and 2.27 ERA, he would again earn the NL's Fireman of the Year award and finished 17th in the MVP voting. Regan officially retired from professional baseball in 1972. 

Following his playing career, Regan spent upwards of four decades working as a scout, coach and manager in baseball. He began his career at Grand Valley State, coaching the Lakers from 1973-1982. Following that, he spent several years coaching in the Major Leagues, including time with the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs and New York Mets. Regan spent one season as a manager, guiding the Orioles to 71 wins and a third-place finish in the AL East during the 1995 season.