The Los Angeles Angels organization is grieving the loss of former outfielder Garret Anderson, who passed away at the age of 53, the team announced Friday morning. No details regarding the cause or location of his death were immediately released.
Anderson made his major league debut with the California Angels in 1994 and remained with the organization through 2008, spending most of his career patrolling left field. During his 15-year tenure with the franchise, he established himself as the team’s all-time leader in multiple offensive categories, including hits (2,368), games played (2,013), RBIs (1,292), total bases (3,743), extra-base hits (796), doubles (489), and grand slams (8).
Team owner Arte Moreno released a statement honoring the fallen star: “The Angels organization is mourning the loss of one of our franchise’s most beloved icons, Garret Anderson. 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. Garret will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Angels fans for his professionalism, class and loyalty throughout his career and beyond. His admiration and respect for the game was immeasurable.”
The team plans to honor Anderson’s memory throughout the upcoming season by wearing commemorative patches featuring his initials. A moment of silence will be observed Friday evening when the Angels face the San Diego Padres at home.
Throughout his career, Anderson earned three American League All-Star selections and received two Silver Slugger awards. His best MVP finish came when he placed fourth in AL voting. In 2003, he captured both the Home Run Derby title and All-Star Game MVP honors during the midsummer classic in Chicago.
Anderson’s 272 career home runs rank third in franchise history, trailing only current star Mike Trout and former slugger Tim Salmon. In runs scored, only Trout has surpassed Anderson’s total in team history.
The 2002 season marked Anderson’s finest campaign and the franchise’s greatest achievement. He posted a .306 batting average while leading the team with 123 RBIs as the Anaheim Angels captured 99 victories and secured a wild-card playoff spot. The club then embarked on a memorable postseason run, culminating in their lone World Series title after overcoming a 3-2 series deficit against Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants.
Anderson played a crucial role in that Fall Classic triumph, collecting nine hits in 32 at-bats while driving in six runs. His most memorable moment came in the decisive Game 7, when he delivered a three-run double in the third inning that broke a tie and helped secure the Angels’ 4-1 victory and championship.
Following his Angels career, Anderson spent his final seasons with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers before retiring in 2011. The Angels inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2016, and he continued his association with the organization as a television broadcaster for pregame and postgame programming over the past decade.
A Los Angeles native born on June 30, 1972, Anderson attended Granada Hills High School in the San Fernando Valley before the Angels selected him in the fourth round of the 1990 draft.
Anderson leaves behind his wife Teresa, daughters Brianne and Bailey, and son Garret “Trey” Anderson III.
