Garret Anderson, the quiet superstar who spent 15 seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, has died at 53, the team said Wednesday. His wife, Teresa, told's Michael Eaves on April 17 that he died of a heart attack.
The Angels said they will honor Anderson for the rest of the season, beginning with Friday's homestand, by wearing a memorial patch on their jerseys. They also will hold a moment of silence and play a special tribute video before an evening game.
Anderson was not just one of the most durable players in franchise history. He remains the Angels' record holder for games, at-bats, hits and total bases, a run built over 15 seasons in Anaheim that helped define the organization for more than a decade.
That record is why the reaction from the people who knew him best carried so much weight. Mike Scioscia said Anderson was really the foundation of the Angels' championship run in 2002, praising both his competitive edge and the way he played with the intent to win. Owner Arte Moreno called him one of the club's most beloved icons and said his stoic presence in the outfield and clubhouse helped carry the Angels into years of continued success.
The loss also leaves a family behind. Anderson is survived by Teresa and their three children, and the team extended condolences to Teresa, daughters Brianne and Bailey, and son Garret 'Trey' Anderson III.
What makes this moment land now is the way the Angels are choosing to mark it: not with a one-day gesture, but with an entire season of remembrance. For a player who once said being honored by the organization was humbling and meant a lot, the tribute now becomes part of the club's living history.
