Angels Great Garret Anderson Dies at 53

An all-time great outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels has died at 53. Garret Anderson, who played for the Angels for 15 seasons and spent two other years in the majors with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers, died recently, the team announced on social media.

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A post shared by LA Sports Report (@lasportsreport) The cause and date of his death were not immediately disclosed. “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Angels Hall of Famer Garret Anderson,” the team wrote on social media. “Garret will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Angels fans for his professionalism, class, and loyalty throughout his career and beyond. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Anderson family.”

September 8, 2008; Anaheim CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Garret Anderson (16) hits a single in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

How did Garret Anderson play for the Angels?

Anderson was a three-time All-Star and was a key member of the 2002 World Series champion Angels team. That season, Anderson finished fourth in MVP voting while hitting .306 with 29 home runs and 123 RBIs. Perhaps his most impactful hit, though, was a three-run double in Game 7, a moment that would turn out to clinch the World Series for the Angels. He also won Silver Slugger awards in 2002 and 2003. Bob Nightengale of USA Today further expounded upon Anderson’s impact on the franchise and on baseball. “He holds franchise record for games played (2,013), hits (2,368), runs scored (1,024), RBI (1,292), and total bases (3,743),” Nightengale wrote. “He ranked second behind only Hall of Famer Derek Jeter for the most hits from 1997-2003.” He was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame in 2016.

How are the Angels honoring Garret Anderson?

In a statement, team owner Arte Moreno said, “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.” The team will honor the Hall of Famer the remainder of the season by wearing a memorial patch on their jerseys, beginning this homestand. The post Angels Great Garret Anderson Dies at 53 appeared first on LA Sports Report.