Garret Anderson's cause of death revealed after Angels' great shocking passing
TL;DR
Garrett Anderson, the former MLB star, died from acute necrotizing pancreatitis at age 53, confirmed by the Orange County Coroner's Office. His passing has shocked the baseball community, with tributes pouring in from fans and the Los Angeles Angels organization.
Key points
- Garrett Anderson died from acute necrotizing pancreatitis
- He was 53 years old at the time of his death
- Anderson was a three-time All-Star and 2002 World Series champion
- The Los Angeles Angels paid tribute to his legacy
Mentioned in this story
MLB star Garrett Anderson died as a result of pancreatitis, the Orange County Sheriff Coroner's Office, confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday, April 21.
Anderson, a three-time All-Star and 2002 World Series champion with the Los Angeles Angels, passed away last week at the age of 53, stunning the baseball world.
The cause of death was acute necrotizing pancreatitis, according to the Coroner Division of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Anderson's wife Teresa had previously told ESPN she thought her husband had died of a heart attack.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, "necrotizing pancreatitis happens when pancreatitis inflammation is so severe that it causes tissue death (necrosis)."
âGarret 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," the Angels said in a statement on April 17.
Garret Anderson, one of the greatest players in Los Angeles Angels history, has died at the age of 53, the team announced on April 17, 2026.
A three-time All-Star and key part of the Angelsâ 2002 World Series title, he holds multiple franchise records, including games played (2,013), hits (2,368), runs scored (1,024), RBI (1,292), and total bases (3,743). He ranked second behind only Hall of Famer Derek Jeter for the most hits from 1997-2003.
Revisit his baseball career, from joining the MLB in the 1990s to his induction into the Angels hall of fame and later becoming a broadcaster for the Angels.
Left fielder Garret Anderson of the California Angels stands in the batters box during a game against the New York Yankees at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California, on Aug. 20, 1995. The Angels won the game 10-5.
Left fielder Garret Anderson of the California Angels stands on the field during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California, on July 9, 1995.
Garret Anderson #16 of the Anaheim Angels at Spring Training at the Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, on Feb. 23, 1998.
Anaheim Angels left fielder Garret Anderson makes the game ending catch on a fly ball hit by the Minnesota Twins AJ Pierzynski in the ninth inning of Game three of the American League Championship Series in Anaheim on Oct. 11, 2002. The Angels defeated the Twins 2-1 to take a two games to one lead in the series.
Anaheim Angels' Garret Anderson carries the World Series trophy after Game Seven of the World Series on Oct. 27, 2002, in Anaheim. The Angels won their first World Series Championship with a 4-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants in Game Seven.
Anaheim Angels Garret Anderson hits a solo home run in the second inning of Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Minnesota Twins in Anaheim Oct. 11, 2002. Anderson hit the home run off the Twins starter Eric Milton.
American League All-Star Garret Anderson of the Anaheim Angels holds the trophy awarded to the winner of the Home Run Derby, in Chicago July 14, 2003. Anderson defeated National League All-Star Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals 9-8 in the final round to win the Home Run Derby. The 2003 Major League All-Star Game will be played July 15.
Anaheim Angels' Garret Anderson watches his two run home run in the sixth inning of the 2003 Major League All-Star Game in Chicago, July 15, 2003. Garret was named MVP as the American League defeated the National League 7-6 to win home field advantage in the World Series.
All-Star game MVP Garret Anderson (L) of the Anaheim Angels holds the trophy on July 15, 2003 after the 74th mid-summer classic at US Cellular Field, in Chicago. The American League beat the National League 7-6 to win the game.
Anaheim Angels' outfielder Garret Anderson hold the Most Valuable Player trophy after the 74th annual All-Star game in Chicago, July 15, 2003. The American League defeated the National League 7-6, with Anderson hitting a single, double and home run.
Anaheim Angels Garret Anderson (R) celebrates with coach Mickey Hatcher (L) and David Eckstein after hitting a two-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Paul Shuey to score with Scott Spiezio during the ninth inning of interleague play in Los Angeles, June 22, 2003. The Angels won 6-3.
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Garret Anderson (16) before game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium on April 29, 2007.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Garret Anderson against the Oakland Athletics at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 3, 2008, in Tempe, Arizona.
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Garret Anderson (9) runs to third on a triple during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on May 15, 2010.
Former Los Angeles Angels player Garret Anderson speaks following his induction into the Angels hall of fame at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Aug. 20, 2016.
FanDuel Sports Network West reporter Erica Weston (left) and Angels Live analyst Garret Anderson during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on May 9, 2025.
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Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Garret Anderson, one of the greatest players in Los Angeles Angels history, has died at the age of 53, the team announced on April 17, 2026.
A three-time All-Star and key part of the Angelsâ 2002 World Series title, he holds multiple franchise records, including games played (2,013), hits (2,368), runs scored (1,024), RBI (1,292), and total bases (3,743). He ranked second behind only Hall of Famer Derek Jeter for the most hits from 1997-2003.
Revisit his baseball career, from joining the MLB in the 1990s to his induction into the Angels hall of fame and later becoming a broadcaster for the Angels.
1 / 17
Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Garret Anderson, one of the greatest players in Los Angeles Angels history, has died at the age of 53, the team announced on April 17, 2026.
A three-time All-Star and key part of the Angelsâ 2002 World Series title, he holds multiple franchise records, including games played (2,013), hits (2,368), runs scored (1,024), RBI (1,292), and total bases (3,743). He ranked second behind only Hall of Famer Derek Jeter for the most hits from 1997-2003.
Revisit his baseball career, from joining the MLB in the 1990s to his induction into the Angels hall of fame and later becoming a broadcaster for the Angels.
2 / 17
Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Left fielder Garret Anderson of the California Angels stands in the batters box during a game against the New York Yankees at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California, on Aug. 20, 1995. The Angels won the game 10-5.
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Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Left fielder Garret Anderson of the California Angels stands on the field during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California, on July 9, 1995.
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Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Garret Anderson #16 of the Anaheim Angels at Spring Training at the Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, on Feb. 23, 1998.
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Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Anaheim Angels left fielder Garret Anderson makes the game ending catch on a fly ball hit by the Minnesota Twins AJ Pierzynski in the ninth inning of Game three of the American League Championship Series in Anaheim on Oct. 11, 2002. The Angels defeated the Twins 2-1 to take a two games to one lead in the series.
6 / 17
Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Anaheim Angels' Garret Anderson carries the World Series trophy after Game Seven of the World Series on Oct. 27, 2002, in Anaheim. The Angels won their first World Series Championship with a 4-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants in Game Seven.
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Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Anaheim Angels Garret Anderson hits a solo home run in the second inning of Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Minnesota Twins in Anaheim Oct. 11, 2002. Anderson hit the home run off the Twins starter Eric Milton.
8 / 17
Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
American League All-Star Garret Anderson of the Anaheim Angels holds the trophy awarded to the winner of the Home Run Derby, in Chicago July 14, 2003. Anderson defeated National League All-Star Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals 9-8 in the final round to win the Home Run Derby. The 2003 Major League All-Star Game will be played July 15.
9 / 17
Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Anaheim Angels' Garret Anderson watches his two run home run in the sixth inning of the 2003 Major League All-Star Game in Chicago, July 15, 2003. Garret was named MVP as the American League defeated the National League 7-6 to win home field advantage in the World Series.
10 / 17
Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
All-Star game MVP Garret Anderson (L) of the Anaheim Angels holds the trophy on July 15, 2003 after the 74th mid-summer classic at US Cellular Field, in Chicago. The American League beat the National League 7-6 to win the game.
11 / 17
Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Anaheim Angels' outfielder Garret Anderson hold the Most Valuable Player trophy after the 74th annual All-Star game in Chicago, July 15, 2003. The American League defeated the National League 7-6, with Anderson hitting a single, double and home run.
12 / 17
Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Anaheim Angels Garret Anderson (R) celebrates with coach Mickey Hatcher (L) and David Eckstein after hitting a two-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Paul Shuey to score with Scott Spiezio during the ninth inning of interleague play in Los Angeles, June 22, 2003. The Angels won 6-3.
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Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Garret Anderson (16) before game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium on April 29, 2007.
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Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Garret Anderson against the Oakland Athletics at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 3, 2008, in Tempe, Arizona.
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Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Garret Anderson (9) runs to third on a triple during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on May 15, 2010.
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Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
Former Los Angeles Angels player Garret Anderson speaks following his induction into the Angels hall of fame at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Aug. 20, 2016.
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Remembering Angels great Garret Anderson
FanDuel Sports Network West reporter Erica Weston (left) and Angels Live analyst Garret Anderson during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on May 9, 2025.
The team has honored Anderson since news of his death, including a "GA" patch on their jerseys and emblem in the outfield of Angel Stadium.
Anderson grew up in Granada Hills, California, and was selected in the fourth round of the 1990 draft. He made his MLB debut July 27, 1994 against Oakland with his first hit off Ron Darling. He finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in 1995 behind Marty Cordova of the Minnesota Twins.
He was one of the gameâs most durable players, playing an average of 156 games per year his first eight seasons. He finished with 2,529 hits and a career .293 batting average.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Garret Anderson cause of death revealed after Angels legend's passing
Q&A
What was the cause of Garrett Anderson's death?
Garrett Anderson died from acute necrotizing pancreatitis, as confirmed by the Orange County Coroner's Office.
How old was Garrett Anderson when he passed away?
Garrett Anderson was 53 years old at the time of his death.
What teams did Garrett Anderson play for in MLB?
Garrett Anderson is best known for his time with the Los Angeles Angels, where he won a World Series in 2002.
What did the Los Angeles Angels say about Garrett Anderson's death?
The Angels expressed their condolences, stating that Garret will always hold a special place in the hearts of fans for his professionalism and loyalty.
