Major League Baseball and the Los Angeles Angels are mourning the loss of Garret Anderson, who died at the age of 53, the team announced on April 17.
Anderson played 17 MLB seasons, most of them in Anaheim from 1994 to 2008, before playing for the Braves and Dodgers for one season, each. He was a three-time All-Star and named All-Star Game MVP in 2003. He was named a Silver Slugger Award-winner in 2002 and 2003. Anderson helped the Angels win the World Series in 2002.
He was named to the Angels Hall of Fame and the ballclub honored him during their Friday game against the San Diego Padres.
More: Appreciate Garret Anderson’s greatness – even if late Angels star strived to lay low
“The Angels organization is mourning the loss of one of our franchise’s most beloved icons,” said Angels owner Arte Moreno 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.
“Garret will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Angels fans for his professionalism, class, and loyalty throughout his career and beyond. His admiration and respect for the game was immeasurable. We extend our deepest condolences to Garret’s wife Teresa, daughters Brianne and Bailey, son Garret ‘Trey’ Anderson III, and his entire family.”
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 Angels’ 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 Angels’ 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.
3 / 17
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.
4 / 17
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.
5 / 17
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.
7 / 17
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.
13 / 17
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.
14 / 17
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.
15 / 17
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.
16 / 17
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.
17 / 17
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.
Angels pay tribute to Garret Anderson
Angel Stadium was rocked with emotion as the major league club in Anaheim soaked in the loss of Anderson. To pay tribute to the Angels’ former left fielder, Anderson’s initials were cut into the outfield at the ballpark.
The Angels didn’t stop there in memorializing one of their greats. A three-minute tribute video was played honoring Anderson and his accomplishments with the Angels throughout his MLB career.
Anderson became only the second player in baseball history in 2000 to hit more home runs (35) than walks (24). He finished fourth in the AL MVP race in 2002 when the Angels won the World Series. He hit .306 with 29 homers and 123 RBIs, while scoring a career-high 93 runs that season.
The Angels outfielder finished his career with 2,529 hits and a career .293 batting average.
Anderson was raised in Granada Hills, Los Angeles, where he starred as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball. He had a scholarship to play at Fresno State but instead opted for MLB after being selected in the fourth round by the Angels in the 1990 MLB Draft.
Anderson’s debut came in 1994 against the Oakland Athletics. He had two hits in four at-bats, including his first career hit on a single to right field off A’s pitcher Ron Darling.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Angels honored Garret Anderson after team legend’s death
