#485 Phil Regan

Bore the brunt of Cubs relieving duties for 1971....That year as a team, the Cubbies saved 13 games one more than the Yankees...Phil had 6 saves which was good for being tied with 36^th spot...a case of elder abuse.... Had his start in Detroit 1960....worked his way to respectability with a 15-9 record in 1963...but after 2 poor seasons shipped to LA....Instantly blossomed  with a memorable 14-1 record and All Star status....may have got votes for Cy Young if not for a teammate named Koufax....1967 Sandy wasn’t there and the Dodger's and Phil’s fortunes declined... trade to Cubs in 1968 represented a comeback.... 1969 he was top Cub reliever with strong veteram supporting cast of Ted Abernathy and Hank Auguire effect in set up roles....fortunes changed in 1970 with Auguire faltering and Abernathy inexplicably traded away (where did the Cubs need another aging and light hitting infielder in Phil Gagliano)....Burden of work fell to Phil and a host of untested others and effectiveness as whole suffered....released after 1972 season when he split work with Cubs and cross town White Sox....post playing long time coach (until 2020) and one time MLB manager with Baltimore (1995).