Angels Legend Garret Anderson Dies at 53; Franchise Hits Leader Remembered

Garret Anderson, former outfielder and the all-time hits leader for the Los Angeles Angels, died this week at the age of 53, the team announced on Friday. The cause of death and location were not disclosed.

Anderson, who joined the Angels organization in 1994, became a central figure during his 15-season tenure with the club, setting franchise records in several key offensive categories including hits (2,368), games played (2,013), RBIs (1,292), total bases (3,743), and doubles (489). He was instrumental in leading the 2002 team to its first and only World Series championship.

During the 2002 championship run, Anderson posted a .306 batting average and drove in 123 runs during the regular season. In the World Series, he drove in six runs and sealed the team’s victory with a decisive three-run double in Game 7 against the San Francisco Giants, helping the Angels overcome a series deficit to secure the title.

A three-time American League All-Star, Anderson also earned two Silver Slugger awards and was named Most Valuable Player of the 2003 All-Star Game after winning the Home Run Derby. He ranks third in franchise history for home runs, trailing only Mike Trout and Tim Salmon, and is second only to Trout in runs scored.

Anderson concluded his Major League Baseball career with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers before retiring in 2011. He was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame in 2016 and later contributed as a broadcaster on the team’s television coverage. Born in Los Angeles in 1972, he played high school baseball at Granada Hills before being drafted by the Angels in 1990.

This season, the Angels will honor Anderson with a commemorative patch featuring his initials and will observe a moment of silence ahead of Friday’s home game against the San Diego Padres. Anderson is survived by his wife, Teresa, their daughters Brianne and Bailey, and son Garret "Trey" Anderson III.

No further details on the circumstances of his death have been released at this time.