The Los Angeles Angels announced the sudden and surprising passing of Garret Anderson at the age of 53 on the morning of Friday, April 17, 2026. It was a fairly normal morning for most, with a slight chill surrounding the coast that would lead into a mid-70's spring day that would eventually lead into an Angels game that night; but there was nothing normal about it. Garret was gone. My dugout buddy was gone. And there was sadness masked by what had to be a professional reaction.
In this industry, you get to know people on a different level than just: they play baseball and you write about it. Writing anything about the death of Garret Anderson hurts to the core, because I originally knew Garret as the legendary Angels baseball player, because that's what I watched growing up. Garret going out and hitting, and hitting, and hitting, and then winning, and winning, and winning. He was a legend in Angels red. No doubt about it. Most games played in an Angels uniform, most hits, total bases, doubles, etc., the list goes on. He is a diamond legend. But that's not the Garret I knew and not the Garret I got to know.
Garret and I had built a personal relationship over the past decade-plus, and I doubt we talked about baseball for more than a handful of minutes combined. We talked about Trey, Bailey, Bri, Teresa; Heidi, John, Suzanne. Family. Garret was immensely proud of his family, and especially young Trey, or Garret III.
I bumped into Garret at a high school game around 2016 or 2017. Trey was playing high school ball as a reserve position player on a pretty premier prep club. I remember asking Garret is Trey would have a future in baseball and in his typical direct comment he said, "No, he'll be a businessman."
I asked Garret about Trey probably seven or eight years later, and the normal mold of little expression quickly flipped to a massive smile. Garret spent so much time telling me about how proud he was of Trey for now running a business in the Los Angeles region that the security attendant eventually had to ask me to leave the dugout because the time restrictions for media had run out by a good half-hour. Garret absolutely loved his children and family, and when he got the chance to speak about them, he wouldn't stop.
We would swap stories about our mothers. My mom passed and he would listen to those stories, and he would tell me about how his mom is essentially the reason he became a professional baseball player because she was the one who saw the full picture. He would talk about his girls, and I would talk about my wife. It was hardly ever about baseball.
That's the Garret I remember. I'm saddened by how much I have to identify him as a baseball player and not just Garret, my dugout buddy.
However, Garret did play baseball, and he was really good at it. So good, that his natural skills caused post-career frustration because of stupid people who didn't realize how gifted he actually was.
Garret played with a simple style. He was quick, but the way he ran looked slow. He was a good fielder, but his ease to the ball made some perceive differently. He was a fantastic hitter, but people didn't seem to understand how good at times.
Baseball came natural to Garret, and because of this, people called him "lazy" and I cannot share the retort Garret would give to those people, as it usually came in the four-letter adjective nature and then was followed with a chuckle.
Garret played for 17 years in the big leagues, 15 with the Angels. He is the franchise leader in many categories. He won the 2003 Home Run Derby and won the All-Star Game MVP the following day. He was a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger. He was a cog of the Angels 2002 World Series championship, so much so that his hit is what won the series, a three-run double.
Garret was very good at baseball. So much so, that I want to share a blurb from the book "In Search of Millionaires (The Life of a Baseball Gypsy)" in which former Angels Scouting Director, Bobby Fontaine, remembered and remarked about the natural skillset of Garret when they were originally scouting him, and the process in which Garret entered professional baseball and the Angels organization.
"Our coverage deep into the draft was about to pay dividends, as we were to get five more players to the Majors besides Leftwich. Two would prove to be key players in the long-term success of the Angels and be part of their foundation for many years.
Garret Anderson, an outfielder from Kennedy High School in Grenada Hills, California, and Troy Percival, a catcher from UC-Riverside, would be our fourth and sixth round selections in this draft.
Duane and Rick had seen Anderson play late in the year and really liked his swing. They called me and said you have to see this kid, so we setup a workout with him and the three of us, along with Rich and Steve, went to the workout.
The fluidity and quickness of his swing was outstanding. He kept the bat level through the zone and made solid contact. The bat was obvious, but the thing that impressed me was his aptitude to pick things up.
When we had him throw from the outfield for us, one of our scouts mentioned to him about keeping his elbow higher and getting a better angle on his throws. Sounds easy, but usually this takes a while before a player get used to it. Garret made the adjustment on the spot and threw each time the way he was asked, and his throws were immediately better. Great aptitude.
Garret was a good basketball player who could have played in college if he wanted, and we figured because of that and his one speed approach to playing, that he would fall to us where we selected him. He ended up one of the most consistent and reliable players I have seen. He had an inner aggressiveness that many people don't understand. He played hard and wanted to win even though it didn't come across in an outwardly fashion. A professional in every way.
When he and his mom came to Anaheim Stadium to negotiate his contract, it was as pleasant a negotiation as I had been a part of. His mother was a businessperson who was realistic and asked all the right questions and had all the right concerns. Garret was very respectful, and they knew what they should receive. It didn't take long before he was on his way into professional baseball.
Garret played 17 seasons in the Majors, with all but his final one being with the Angels. He was a three-time All-Star and won the 2003 Home Run Derby at Cellular Field in Chicago. His accolades with the Angels are near limitless, with the focus being on his franchise leading 2,013 games played, 1,024 runs scored, 2,368 hits, and 1,292 runs batted in. Most importantly, Garret hit a three-run double in Game Seven of the 2002 World Series, which would prove to be the game-winning hit. Simply, a remarkable career."
I was able to read this to Garret during the 2023, and he laughed saying, "They still didn't pay me enough," and then going on again asking about how Bobby Fontaine and Bill Bavasi were all doing, and shocked they remembered as much as they did; and then reminiscing about Rick Ingalls (his signing scout).
I'm sad and I'm going to miss my dugout buddy, and the conversations we shared, but Garret is going to be missed by many, not only limited to those who knew him, but those who followed his career.
As part of that, the Angels organization and MLB Player's Association have made statements following the death of Garret Anderson:
"The Angels Organization is mourning the loss of one of our franchise's most beloved icons, Garret Anderson. 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." - Angels Owner, Arte Moreno
"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." - Angels Communications
"Garret Anderson endeared himself to a generation of Angels fans as a quiet professional, an elite hitter and an integral part of a 2002 World Championship team. The Player's Association mourns his loss and sends its sincere condolences to his family, friends and the entire Angels community." - MLB Player's Association
The Angels have announced they plan to honor Garret for the remainder of the season by wearing a memorial patch on their uniforms, which will begin on their current homestand. The Angels will host a moment of silence and run a special tribute video to honor Garret prior to Friday night's game.
Sometimes, a loss for words is the only way to express words. I've said it many times. I'm going to miss my buddy. I'm sad, but I can't imagine what Garret's family is going through during this.
Teresa, Brianne, Bailey, Trey; your husband and father was a magnificent man, and he was remarkably proud of you. Thank you for sharing him with us all these years and know that you are in our hearts and our prayers right now.
Garret Anderson, 1972-2026.