Garret Anderson, a World Series winner with the Los Angeles Angels, died on Thursday at the age of 53.
According to TMZ, he had a medical emergency at his home in Newport Beach, California.
Anderson won a World Series with the Angels in 2002 during a 17-year career in baseball. He is also the organization’s all-time hits leader and became an All-Star three times during the course of his distinguished career.
He leaves behind his childhood sweetheart wife Teresa and their three children.
The Angels said in a statement on Friday: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Angels Hall of Famer Garret Anderson.
‘Garret will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Angels fans for his professionalism, class, and loyalty throughout his career and beyond.
Garret Anderson, a World Series winner with the Los Angeles Angels, died on Thursday
Anderson, a 2002 World Series winner, reportedly had a medical emergency at his home
Anderson was the driving force behind the Angels winning the World Series back in 2002
‘We extend our deepest condolences to Garret’s wife Teresa, daughters Brianne and Bailey, son Garret ‘Trey’ Anderson III, and his entire family.’
Anderson, who grew up in Los Angeles, was drafted by the Angels in 1990 and ended up leading the team to this day in games played (2,013), hits (2,368), RBIs (1,292) and grand slams (eight).
But it’s the World Series triumph which Angels fans specifically remember Anderson for – stepping up on the big stage to carry his team to glory.
He went 9-for-32 in the seven-game thriller with the San Francisco Giants, driving in six runs.
‘He was really the foundation of our championship run back in 2002,’ his manager Mike Scioscia said of that series, before Anderson’s death.
‘Garret played hard, he wanted to win. He just was a terrific talent and a terrific person.’
Anderson spent 15 seasons with the team before rounding out the final two years of his career with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers.
He returned to the Angels during his retirement years as a broadcaster covering the team.
Anderson worked as a broadcaster covering the Angels after he retired from baseball
Anderson entered the Angels’ Hall of Fame in 2016 and said his greatest attribute was putting the team before his own success.
‘I was a good teammate and being a good teammate goes a long way with a lot of people,’ he said.
‘If you go out and respect your teammates and pull for ‘em and give ‘em tough love when you have to, it goes a long way. That was the biggest compliment for me, people saying I was a good teammate.’
The Angles are going to wear a patch on their jerseys in tribute to Anderson for the rest of the season.
It will feature his initials and the years of his life as a patch. They host the San Diego Padres on Friday night, returning to California after a four-game series against the Yankees in New York.
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