HOUSTON -- Former Astros manager Phil Garner returned to Major League Baseball for the first time in approximately four years last August by accepting a special advisor position with Oakland.
The 62-year-old Garner spent seven weeks attending home games while participating in pregame activities on the field in uniform.
Garner told Examiner.com that he enjoyed his job duties and was offered the position on a full-time basis by the A's front office.
However, Garner didn't want to get locked into a full-season commitment and negotiated with the club to make it a part-time role.
He will report to Spring Training in Phoenix next month and execute his organizational duties over the course of Cactus League action.
Then, Garner plans to play it by ear.
"I did seven weeks with Oakland at the end of last season," Garner said. "Then, they offered me a full-time position. I really didn't want to do it full-time. We agreed to do Spring Training and maybe some special stuff as the season goes along."
The A's hold a significant meaning to Garner, since the club selected him as the third overall pick in the 1971 First-Year Player Draft.
Garner made history with Oakland by recording the 10,000th hit in franchise history against the California Angels on June 27, 1975.
He played 16 career seasons in the big leagues with the A's, Pittsburgh Pirates, Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.
The three-time All-Star infielder was part of skipper Chuck Tanner's 1979 World Series championship squad with the Pirates.
Also, Garner spent 15 seasons as a major league manager with the Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, as well as the Astros.
He led the Astros to the World Series for the first time in club history in 2005 with a talented squad featuring Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Roy Oswalt.
Garner interviewed for the Astros' open managerial position in October 2009, but the club ultimately offered the job to Brad Mills.
Although he hasn't ruled out managing once again, Garner reiterated that it's highly unlikely, unless the right situation presents itself.
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