Garret Anderson, the hero of Game 7 of the 2002 World Series and the all-time hits leader among other offensive categories for the Angels’ franchise, died on Thursday. He was 53.
The Angels did not disclose a cause of death in announcing his passing on Friday. TMZ reported Anderson died following a medical emergency at his home in Newport Beach, Calif.
“The Angels Organization is mourning the loss of one of our franchise’s most beloved icons, Garret Anderson,” Angels owner Arte Moreno said in a statement. “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.”
Anderson ripped a bases-clearing double in the bottom of the third inning, which proved to be the decisive hit to lift the then-Anaheim Angels to a 4-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 of the 2002 World Series. It remains the only World Series appearance for the franchise.
“Garret will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Angels fans for his professionalism, class, and loyalty throughout his career and beyond,” Moreno said. “His admiration and respect for the game was immeasurable.”
Anderson remains atop the franchise all-time list in hits (2,368), total bases (3,743), extra-base hits (796), doubles (489), RBIs (1,292) and games played (2,013). He batted .296 with 272 homers with the Angels after being selected by the club in the fourth round of the 1990 MLB Draft out of John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills, Calif.
Anderson was inducted into the Angels’ Hall of Fame on Aug. 20, 2016. The team plans to honor Anderson for the remainder of the season by the players wearing a memorial patch on their jerseys.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Garret’s wife Teresa, daughters Brianne and Bailey, son Garret ‘Trey’ Anderson III, and his entire family,” Moreno said.
A two-time Silver Slugger recipient and three-time All-Star, he became a full-time player in Anaheim in 1995 and stayed 14 seasons. Anderson finished his career by spending one season with both the Atlanta Braves (2009) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2010).
Only Mike Trout, with the franchise since 2011, has worn an Angels uniform longer than Anderson.
