Garret Anderson, Angels Great, Dies at 53

Garret Anderson, the longtime Los Angeles Angels outfielder and franchise leader in hits who delivered the decisive blow in Game 7 of the 2002 World Series, died Thursday at his home in Newport Beach, California. He was 53.

The Angels announced Anderson's death Friday morning without disclosing a cause. According to reports, he suffered a medical emergency at his residence. Anderson is survived by his wife, Teresa, daughters Brianne and Bailey, and son Garret Trey Anderson III.

Anderson spent 15 seasons with the Angels, from his major league debut in 1994 through 2008, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the organization. Drafted in the fourth round out of Granada Hills High School in 1990, he quickly became a fixture in the lineup, primarily as a left fielder. Over his Angels career, he batted .296 with 272 home runs, leading the franchise in hits with 2,368, games played with 2,013, runs batted in with 1,292, doubles with 489 and total bases with 3,743. Only current star Mike Trout has worn an Angels uniform longer.

His tenure culminated in the team's only World Series championship that year. The Angels, then known as the Anaheim Angels, won 99 games to secure a wild-card...