Garrett Anderson dies: Angels legend led team to World Series
Garrett Anderson, a three-time All-Star, led the Angels to the 2002 World Series championship. He was the 2003 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player and also won the Home Run Derby.
Garrett Anderson, one of the greatest and most beloved players in Los Angeles Angels history, has passed away at the age of 53, the team announced on April 17th.
Anderson, a three-time All-Star who led the Angels to the 2002 World Series championship, played most of his 17-year career with the Angels. He holds franchise records for games played (2,013), hits (2,368), runs scored (1,024), RBIs (1,292) and total bases (3,743). From 1997 to 2003, he ranked second behind Hall of Famer Derek Jeter for most hits.
Anderson, the 2003 All-Star Game MVP and Home Run Derby winner, worked as a broadcaster for the Angels.
“The Angels franchise is saddened by the loss of one of our franchise’s most beloved icons,” Angels owner Arte Moreno said in a statement. “Garrett has been a cornerstone of our organization for 15 seasons, and his stoic presence in the outfield and clubhouse has propelled the Angels into an era of continued success…
“Garrett will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Angels fans for his professionalism, integrity, and loyalty throughout his career and beyond. Our admiration and respect for his game is immeasurable. We extend our deepest sympathies to Garrett’s wife Teresa, daughters Brianne and Bailey, son Garrett “Trey” Anderson III, and his entire family.”
Anderson, who became the second player in baseball history to hit more home runs (35) than walks (24) in 2000, finished fourth in the AL MVP race in 2002, when the Angels won the World Series. He hit .306 with 29 home runs and 123 RBIs, setting a career high with 93 RBIs.
Anderson retired in 2011 and was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame in 2016.
In his retirement statement, Anderson said, “It is with mixed feelings that I have decided to retire from baseball.” “I know I’m going to miss many aspects of the game, the hardness of playing every day, the game-winning batting, the banter in the clubhouse, the good defensive plays, the players, the cheers from the crowd after wins, and the friendships built over the years. It was a real honor to play this great game and I want to thank a few people for that.”
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Anderson grew up in Granada Hills, California and was selected in the fourth round of the 1990 amateur draft. He spent five years in the minors, making his MLB debut with his first hit off Ron Darling on July 27, 1994, against Oakland. In 1995, he finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting behind Marty Cordova of the Minnesota Twins.
He was one of the most durable players in the game, averaging 156 games per year during his first eight seasons. He had 2,529 hits and a career batting average of .293.
