Phil Garner back with A's -- as adviser

OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Phil Garner, who played for five major league teams and managed three, is back with the Oakland Athletics -- as a special adviser.

The 62-year-old Garner was named to the post Friday, returning to his first big-league team.

He started his MLB career with the A's in 1973 and went on to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.

Garner managed the Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers and Houston, compiling a record of 985-1054.

The Astros, under Garner, reached the World Series in 2005, losing to the Chicago White Sox.

Garner, nicknamed "Scrap Iron," hit .260 with 109 home runs and 738 RBI in 15 years as a player.

In Pittsburgh's seven-game 1979 World Series victory over Baltimore, Garner batted .500 for the Pirates.