UPDATE — 4/21/26, 8:51 p.m. ET: The cause of death of Major League Baseball legend Garret Anderson has been clarified after he suffered a “medical emergency” on Thursday, April 16.
The Orange County Sheriff Coroner’s Office confirmed on Tuesday, April 21, that Anderson died “as a result of pancreatitis,” detailing the illness to USA Today Sports, as “acute necrotizing pancreatitis.”
Anderson’s wife, Teresa, had initially told ESPN’s Michael Eaves that she thought her husband had died of a heart attack. The three-time All-Star was 53 years old.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, necrotizing pancreatitis “happens when pancreatitis inflammation is so severe that it causes tissue death (necrosis).”
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The baseball icon, who spent nearly all of his 17-year career with the Angels organization, died at his home in Newport Beach, California.
Anderson was honored during the Angels’ first game after his death on Friday, April 17. The team played a video tribute and held a moment of silence prior to their game against the San Diego Padres.
The team will also wear a patch on their jerseys in remembrance of Anderson for the remainder of the season.
Original story below:
Garret Anderson, a three-time Major League Baseball All-Star, has died at the age of 53, the Los Angeles Angels confirmed.
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“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Angels Hall of Famer Garret Anderson,” the team posted via social media on Friday, April 17. “Garret will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Angels fans for his professionalism, class, and loyalty throughout his career and beyond.”
The team added, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Anderson family.”
Anderson died after suffering a “medical emergency” at his home in Newport Beach, California, on Thursday, April 16, according to TMZ.
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A two-time Silver Slugger, Anderson played almost the entirety of his career with the Angels organization. He holds the franchise records for games played, at bats, hits, runs, RBIs, total bases, extra base hits, singles, doubles and grand slams.
Anderson was selected to three All-Star teams and was a major part of the Angels winning the World Series in 2002.
“The Angels organization is mourning the loss of one of our franchise’s most beloved icons, Garret Anderson,” Angels 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.”
Garret is survived by his wife, his daughters, Brianne and Bailey, and his son, Garret ‘Trey’ Anderson III.
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The Angels announced they will honor Garret for the remainder of the season by wearing a patch on their jerseys, beginning with Friday’s home game against the San Diego Padres. A moment of silence will also be held prior to the game.
When he was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame in 2016, Garret reflected on the importance of being “a good teammate.”
“Being a good teammate goes a long way with a lot of people,” he said. “If you go out and respect your teammates and pull for ‘em and give ‘em tough love when you have to, it goes a long way. … So that was the biggest compliment for me, people saying I was a good teammate.”
After brief stints with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers, Garret retired from baseball in 2011. In a statement at the time, Garret thanked “all the managers and coaches, both in the minor and big leagues, and players that had a hand in my success.”
