Garret Anderson, a member of the Angels Hall of Fame and a key contributor to the team’s 2002 World Series title, has died at age 53, the team announced Friday.
No cause of death was released, with the team saying only that he “passed away suddenly.”
“The Angels organization is mourning the loss of one of our franchise’s most beloved icons, Garret Anderson,” Angels owner Arte Moreno said in a statement. “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. We extend our deepest condolences to Garret’s wife Teresa, daughters Brianne and Bailey, son Garret `Trey’ Anderson III, and his entire family.”
The Angels will hold a moment of silence before its game Friday night. Players will also wear a memorial patch with Anderson’s initials on their uniforms for the rest of the season.
Anderson played 15 seasons for the Angels, from 1994-2010, then spent one season each with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. A three-time All-Star, Anderson was the Angels’ all-time leader in games played (2,013), hits (2,368), RBIs (1,292), doubles (489), total bases (3,743), extra-base hits (796) and grand slams (eight), according to the team.
He was the MVP of the 2003 All-Star Game, and he also won that year’s Home Run Derby, becoming only the second player to ever win both honors in the same year. Cal Ripken Jr. pulled off the feat in 1991.
Anderson was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame in 2016.
He retired from baseball in 2011, and became an Angels broadcaster.