Tony Phillips, an underrated super utility man during his playing days, has passed away at the age 56, the Athletics have confirmed. Phillips died due to a heart attack, longtime A's teammate Dave Stewart told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
"T.P. was like my little brother,” Stewart said to Slusser. "You always knew when he was in the house. He was just a little sparkplug, fiery. Just a good, good friend.”
Phillips played 18 big league seasons from 1982-99, mostly with the A's, though he also suited up for the Tigers, White Sox, Angels, Mets, and Blue Jays.