Angels Legend Garret Anderson has passed away. GA, the leader of many Franchise longevity records and stats, was not just a beloved player, one who came up through the Angels system and won a World Series, but one who was personally the most levelheaded and professional athlete many of us ever saw.
We, as fans, may have joked about him being lazy, his play seeming to be effortless, but he truly worked hard and just made it seem like it was easy for him. I wish we as fans would have as a whole realized that, even if the shorthand for saying “I am too GA to do this” was admittedly a useful phrase.
GA is in the Angels HOF, and while he never sniffed the one in NY, he will always be remembered to us Angel fans. From his consistency, still being the franchise leader in hits, doubles, RBI, extra base hits, and sacrifice flies, to his longevity, being the franchise leader in games, PA, and at bats, GA was the rock of 90’s and 2000’s Angel teams, putting up numbers year after year with almost no recognition besides us Angels fans.
He did make the All Star Team 3 times, and won the Home run Derby in 2003 as well as the All Star Game MVP that same year. Something that I am sure he was proud of and held over his teammate Tim Salmon. But I think I can say that for most of us, his most memorable moments, what we think of him most, is him standing on 2B after hitting a smooth double, or standing in LF, day in and day out.
I will say I was saddened when he left the team after the 2008 season. Seeing him in Atlanta and Dodger uniforms never felt right. He was always an Angel to us, and when he came back to be celebrated and being shown on TV, it not only felt right seeing him again, but also made us all feel old as one of the all time great Angels was retired.
We will miss you.
GA 🥇
Your comments should post in real time now.
RIP
It’s not normal for me and my wife and son to tear up over a sports personality passing, but we did last night and joining us in the sadness were daughter in law and grandkids when I explained you passed away and the kind of man he was. We feel the loss and pray for his family in this time of extreme sorrow. GA was special and belongs in MLB Hall of Fame. Trout has a way to go to catch GA in many team records. My favorite Angel of all time.
Tragedy sure casts a dark shadow over this team. As someone who suddenly and unexpectedly lost his wife and best friend after 19 1/2 years of marriage, the pain his family is feeling does not have words. My wife died at home too, she was 52, basically the same age, way too young. Most of us here have suffered loss, I’m not special…. Not putting this out there just because GA is one of my favorite Angels, or because of some similarities with my wife… it’s for the profound sadness I’m feeling for his wife and kids right now. It’s tough to be left behind.
RIP GA
So sorry for your loss 💔
Sorry for your loss.
FWIW
Kenley Jansen got his 5th save today and his ERA is 1.59.
Is that good?
Not bringing him back knowing Joyce wasn’t ready was a bad move. Same with the lefty with long curly hair, dude had a + war the little time he was here.
Some more thoughts as I look back on Garret’s career. He never hit below .280 during his time as an Angel. Extremely consistent. Todays team sure could use a bat like that. We hope Schanuel could be that bat, I don’t know. Halos are fortunate to even have one player hit 180+ Shohei was the last to do it in 2023, batting over .300. Ward in 2022 batting .281. Angels really have not drafted and developed a good hitter since Trout.
In 2002, Garret finished 4th in the MVP voting. Hell of a year. Two of the guys ahead of him; A-Rod and Tejada, verified PED users and the 3rd was rumored, Alfonso Soriano. GA all the way.
That Game 7 2002 AB where he laced a double down the right field line clearing the bases, he was just so emotionally dialed in, little to no expression once he touched 2nd, like he expects to do good. No clown show celebrations like wiggling the hips, stirring a drink or lifting a leg like some of the other teams in todays game. Respect GA. Played the right way and he did not fraternize too.
Coincidentally, I just rediscovered his bobblehead while cleaning house, and brought it into my classroom. It was still in a bag behind my desk. Then I got the news about GA’s passing yesterday. So I told my students all about him and then ceremonially added his bobblehead to my collection on a shelf in the classroom. I simply said, “to Garrett Anderson.” And my students all replied, “to Garrett Anderson.” They were very somber for like 10 seconds (pretty good for 12 year olds!🤣).
Like all bobbleheads, it looks nothing like the actual player, but, still cool.
A very nice tribute from Pinstripe Alley: https://www.pinstripealley.com/mlb-news/184035/mlb-garret-anderson-death-angels-yankees-rival-tribute-rest-in-peace
Great read and documentation of the furry GA did vs the Yanks.
Truly laughed when reading this line.
“Let us honor his career in the best way an opposing fanbase can: by remembering the times we cursed his name.”
Loved GA and am not usually surprised when I hear about a sports figure from my past die, but my gawd, GA was only 53. This truly saddened me.
Of course we always joked about how lazy he looked in the outfield, but he just had a great eye for balls he wasn’t gonna catch if he laid out for ’em. If he did hustle and lay out, he made the catch. He wasn’t “lazy” he was damned smooth.
His 2002 – esp the post season – was the thing that would cement him as a legend for us. Of course!
A favorite GA game: the Yankees are in Anaheim, August 21st, 2007. In the bottom of the 1st, GA doubles in Figgy and Cabrera: Angels up 2-0.
In the 2nd, GA comes up again and doubles in Vlad: Angels up 6-1.
In the 3rd, GA homers to RF to drive in Mathis and Figgins. Angels up 12-5 in the 3rd vs. the MFY. GA has 6 RBIs!
GA steps to the plate in the 6th with the bases juiced, and hits a salami: 10 RBIs for GA, as Angels annihilate the MFY, 18-9.
RIP, GA. You were a hell of a player and a good man.
Yes, this is a game that I will never forget.
In 2002, Garrett Anderson batted .306 with 123 RBI’s in route to the only World Series win in franchise history.
STUD.
56 doubles.
That’s crazy.
We probably won’t have one guy on our current squad that will surpass 25 doubles.
It’s been a long time, friends, but I had to come by at this moment of remembering for one of my favorite players ever. Living in NYC I saw him play here more than in Anaheim, and he just slaughtered the Yankees in their own house.. Graceful, efficient, cool, what a player. I’m grateful for the memories. Shoulda been more of a household name across baseball, but he sure was to Yankees fans, and even they had to express grudging admiration. His was the second red Angels tee I bought, and I wore it proudly. Sad day.
Forever an Angel!
Nice win for GA tonight.
I’m beginning to see Lowe & Frazier in a different light.
RIP GA glad the boys could come through for you tonight
This is going to be alot bigger tonight as it should be.
Garret Anderson was my favorite player since I was 9 in 1995. I was collecting trading cards, and my dad got me into Garret because of his rookie year. Unfortunately the voters robbed him and gave it to Marty Cordova. Yes Cordova had slightly better numbers but Garret was carrying the Angels to the postseason. And I think the teams epic collapse cost him the award.
Anyways , I used to love to sit right there in LF. I remember I went to a game against the White Sox, the Angels were down 10 runs he was getting heckled in LF. He comes up hits a HR I think he looks back up at the fan with a big stare. The Angels almost came back. It was 97 or 98.
Hmm. Seeing Garret in his classic Left handed stance waiting for his pitch with bases loaded in Game 7…, I just felt so safe in that stressful playoffs. You just knew Garret was locked in for the hit.
Today a piece of my childhood died. I have a poster that says Halo Storm in my garage. It’s Tim, Garret and Erstad in the periwinkle. Next to it, I have a poster that says Lake Show with Kobe, Eddie Jones, Nick Van Exel and Shaq.
In 1995 Mickey Mantle died and he cried hard. GA was not Mickey but he owns a piece of my sports heart. I wish my dad was here so that I could tell him how sad I am about Garret and now I can relate but unfortunately he’s passed too.
I was curious so I looked it up. Garret did not have the number of ABs Marty did to top him in hits/homers/RBIs but Garret out-percentaged him in BA, OPB, OPS, SLG. What a shame. Our own Percival was No.4 in the voting that year. Salmon said on the radio feed tonight, Troy was really shaken on todays news. They were all tight.
Some good sports posters you have, memories won’t fade and I’m with you on The Mick. Hang in there.
The sports world and the world in general would be a better place if more men conducted themselves like Garrett Anderson. More GA. Be Like GA.
GA’s Hollywood comp, Denzel Washington, appearance and demeanor.
Denzel actually bears a slight resemblance to GA. A younger Washington could have played Garret in a biopic.
Hearing what Kurt Suzuki said on the pregame show brought tears to my eyes all over again.
What did he say ?
I’m blessed to he at tonight’s game for obvious reasons.
Life has a way of reminding us that life is precious & fleeting.
I’m here too, just walking in. This one’s for GA!
I decided to go earlier in the week. Then the GA news hit. So glad to have gone to this game !
Was there too. Was emotional.
Life is so full of ironies: Jackie Robinson died in 1972 at age 53. Garrett Anderson was born in 1972, and passed away at 53.
The numerology theorists love this stuff. Hell, perhaps they’re right.
Damn. A truly great player, and a class act. May his memory be a blessing. Z’’l