Mike Trout reacts to surprising death of Angels’ all-time hits leader

Garret Anderson’s death at age 53 prompted Angels star Mike Trout to take to social media to send a message about the franchise’s all-time hits leader on April 17.

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“Garret Anderson was a huge part of Angels history and inspired so many of us who wear this uniform,” Trout wrote on his X account. “Keeping his family in my thoughts and prayers 🙏🏻”

Trout was hardly alone among Angels past and present who joined the grieving chorus.

“GA we will miss you greatly. ‘“’I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ Phil 4:13,” Anderson’s teammate in the Angels’ outfield and broadcast booth Tim Salmon wrote on X. “My brother in Christ we will be reunited again.”

In 17 MLB seasons — 15 with the Angels — Anderson made three American League All-Star teams (2002, 2003, 2005) and won two Silver Slugger Awards. He helped the Angels win their first and still only World Series championship in 2002.

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Anderson retired with a career .293 batting average, 287 home runs, and 1,365 RBIs. When he was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2016, Anderson held a number of Angels franchise records: games (2,013), at-bats (7,989), hits (2,368), total bases (3,743), extra-base hits (796), doubles (489) and RBIs (1,292).

“A shocking and monumental loss in the Angels family,” the Angels’ television play-by-play broadcaster Wayne Randazzo wrote on X. “A really tremendous player and a wonderful, gentle man off the field.”

“It’s been a shocking and devastating time since learning of Garret Anderson’s passing,” Angels radio broadcaster Trent Rush . “A truly elite hitter. And I don’t say that lightly. I got to admire him as a kid, but spent many nights watching baseball with him over the last decade or so. Everyone talked about how he was so quiet…not when it came to talking real baseball.”