Baseball lost one of its most respected players Thursday when Garret Anderson, the Los Angeles Angels’ all-time hits leader and World Series champion, passed away at his Newport Beach, California home. He was 53 years old.
The Angels organization announced Anderson’s death Friday but did not reveal the cause. TMZ reported that the former outfielder suffered a medical emergency at his residence.
“The Angels Organization is mourning the loss of one of our franchise’s most beloved icons, Garret Anderson,” team owner Arte Moreno stated. “Garret was a cornerstone of our organization throughout his 15 seasons and his stoic presence in the outfield and our clubhouse elevated the Angels into an era of continued success, highlighted by the 2002 World Series championship.”
Anderson delivered the most memorable hit in franchise history during Game 7 of the 2002 World Series against the San Francisco Giants. His three-run double in the third inning became the game-winning blow in the then-Anaheim Angels’ 4-1 victory, securing the organization’s only World Series title to date.
“Garret will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Angels fans for his professionalism, class, and loyalty throughout his career and beyond,” Moreno continued. “His admiration and respect for the game was immeasurable.”
Throughout his Angels career, Anderson established himself as the franchise’s offensive leader across multiple categories. He holds team records for hits (2,368), total bases (3,743), extra-base hits (796), doubles (489), RBIs (1,292) and games played (2,013). The outfielder compiled a .296 batting average with 272 home runs after the Angels selected him in the fourth round of the 1990 MLB Draft from John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills, California.
The Angels inducted Anderson into their Hall of Fame on August 20, 2016. The team announced players will wear memorial patches on their uniforms for the rest of the season to honor his memory.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Garret’s wife Teresa, daughters Brianne and Bailey, son Garret ‘Trey’ Anderson III, and his entire family,” Moreno said.
Anderson earned recognition as a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner and three-time All-Star during his career. He became a regular starter in Anaheim in 1995 and remained with the team for 14 seasons. His major league career concluded with single seasons playing for the Atlanta Braves in 2009 and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010.
Among Angels players, only current star Mike Trout, who joined the franchise in 2011, has spent more time wearing the team’s uniform than Anderson did during his tenure.
