Garret Anderson, whose three-run double in Game 7 of the 2002 World Series gave the Los Angeles Angels their only championship in franchise history, has died at age 53. The Angels all-time hits leader passed away on April 16, 2026, at his Newport Beach, California, residence.
Teresa Anderson, his wife, initially told the media her husband died of a heart attack. The Orange County Sheriff Coroner’s Office on April 21, 2026, officially ruled the actual cause of death was acute necrotizing pancreatitis.
The Angels announced Anderson’s death on Friday, April 17, sending shockwaves through the baseball community, with teammates and fans mourning the quiet, consistent outfielder who defined an era of the franchise.
“The Angels organization is mourning the loss of one of our franchise’s most beloved icons, Garret Anderson,” team 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.”
Over a 17-year career, Anderson compiled 2,529 hits, 287 home runs, 1,365 RBIs, and a .293 batting average while playing for the Angels, Atlanta Braves, and Los Angeles Dodgers, ending his playing career in 2010.
With the Angels, Anderson holds franchise records in games played (2,013), hits (2,368), total bases (3,743), extra-base hits (796), doubles (489), grand slams (8), and RBIs (1,292). His 272 home runs for the franchise trail only Mike Trout and Tim Salmon, his 2002 championship teammate.
A Los Angeles native born June 30, 1972, and raised in Granada Hills, California, Anderson was selected by the Angels in the fourth round of the 1990 amateur draft. His major league debut came July 27, 1994, when he recorded his first hit off Oakland Athletics pitcher Ron Darling. Anderson finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 1995 behind Minnesota’s Marty Cordova.
During the 2002 season, Anderson batted .306 with 29 home runs, 123 RBIs, and 93 runs scored, placing fourth in AL MVP voting. His defining moment arrived in Game 7 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants and Barry Bonds, when the series stood tied 3-3, and the score was deadlocked at 1-1 in the third inning. Anderson’s three-run double proved decisive in the Angels’ 4-1 victory. He went 9 for 32 with six RBIs in the series as the Angels rallied from a 3-2 deficit to capture the crown.
Anderson earned three All-Star selections, with a memorable 2003 season when he won both the All-Star Game MVP award and Home Run Derby championship — becoming just the second player to win both in the same year, after Cal Ripken Jr. in 1991. He also collected two Silver Slugger awards during his prime years.
From 1996 to 2003, Anderson logged at least 600 at-bats every season, establishing a reputation for reliability that matched his quiet demeanor and workmanlike approach.
After his playing career ended in 2010, Anderson worked as a television analyst for Angels broadcasts and maintained close ties to the organization. The franchise recognized his contributions by inducting him into the Angels Hall of Fame in 2016.
The team will wear a “GA” memorial patch on their jerseys throughout the 2026 season. A moment of silence and tribute video before Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres honored Anderson’s memory.
Moreno’s statement concluded with condolences to Anderson’s family: “We extend our deepest condolences to Garret’s wife Teresa, daughters Brianne and Bailey, son Garret ‘Trey’ Anderson III, and his entire family.”
