Nov. 17, 2008

Vote For All-Century Team

Former Major League Baseball player and manager, and Tennessee standout Phil Garner will have his number retired at the 2009 Tennessee Baseball Leadoff Banquet Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Knoxville Convention Center.

"We are privileged to have the opportunity to honor this Tennessee native by retiring his number," UT head coach Todd Raleigh said. "Phil Garner has positively impacted the game of baseball at every level."

The event will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and the program to follow at 6:30 p.m. Garner is the featured speaker for the evening. The All-Century Baseball Team also will be introduced and honored during the evening.

Individual tickets for the banquet are $40, and tables (10 seats) are $350. Tickets can be purchased on UTsports.com beginning Dec. 5 at 8 a.m. For questions regarding the banquet, please contact the UT Marketing Department at 865-974-9001.

Garner is from Jefferson City, Tenn., and played second base for the Vols from 1968-70. He started his major league career with Oakland in 1973 and played with the A's through 1976. From 1977-81 Garner played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was part of the 1979 Pittsburgh team that won the World Series. He continued playing professional baseball until 1988.

Garner began his career as a manager with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1992. He coached there for eight seasons then joined the Detroit Tigers from 2000-02. Garner then coached the Houston Astros from 2004-07, leading the club to the 2005 World Series.