ANGELS PRESS RELEASE
TEMPE, AZ – Garret Anderson, one of the most consistent players to ever wear an Angel uniform, Tuesday announced his retirement following a distinguished 17-year Major League career, 15 of those with the Angels. In doing so, Anderson released the following statement:
“It is with mixed emotions that I have decided to retire from baseball. I know I will miss many aspects of the game, the grind of playing every day, hitting with the game on the line, the clubhouse banter, making a good defensive play, the guys, the roar of the crowd after a win, and the friendships made throughout the years. It was truly a privilege to play this wonderful game and for that I want to thank several individuals.
“To the Autry family, thank you for taking a chance and letting me play at the raw age of 22. To Disney and Mr. & Mrs. Moreno, thank you for allowing me to play most of my career in an Angel uniform. To all the managers and coaches, both in the minor and big leagues, and players that had a hand in my success, thank you. To the Angel fans, I want to apologize for being somewhat difficult to read at times and thank you for your support even still. I’ve appreciated your encouragement over the years. Most of all, I want to thank my Heavenly Father for giving me the talent to play this great game.”
“Garret was an incredible player, one with a calm demeanor and quiet confidence that allowed him to excel in this game,” said Angels Manager Mike Scioscia. “Garret’s role in where the Angels organization is today cannot be overstated. He had a tremendous passion to play this game and a deep understanding of how to play to win and that was very important to this organization. We wish him and his family nothing but the best as he begins the next chapter of his life.”
“Garret was a student of the game, someone who always came to the park prepared to play,” said Angels General Manager Tony Reagins. “It is gratifying for me to know he leaves the game among the greatest Angels of all-time.”
Born June 30, 1972 in Los Angeles, CA, Anderson attended Kennedy High School in Granada Hills, CA where he starred in football, basketball and baseball. He was recognized with a pair of All-Los Angeles City and All-League Honors during his prep career in baseball, and as a junior, helped lead his team to a Los Angeles City Championship.
Drafted by the California Angels in the fourth round of the 1990 MLB Amateur Draft, Anderson would spend all or parts of five seasons in the minor leagues before making his Major League debut on July 27, 1994 against Oakland. He recorded his first hit on a single to right field against Ron Darling, and finished the game two-for-four.
A year later he was promoted to the Angels on April 26th and remained a fixture with the club the remainder of the season. He recorded the first of his 287 lifetime home runs on June 13th against Minnesota’s Kevin Tapani, and finished the campaign hitting .321 with 16 home runs and 69 RBI while finishing second in A.L. “Rookie of the Year” voting to the Twins’ Marty Cordova.
During the next eight seasons, Anderson would play in 1,254 games, or an average of 156 per year. He recorded 600-or-more plate appearances in each of those campaigns, and registered four consecutive seasons of 100-or-more RBI (2000-2003), a span during which he averaged 119 RBI per season (479 total).
His career was filled with milestones and honors. He was a three-time All-Star (2002-2003, 2005); All-Star Game MVP and Home Run Derby Champion (2003), The Sporting News “Rookie of the Year” (1995); a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2002-2003); led the A.L. in doubles (2002-2003); collected 2,000th career hit (July 1, 2006) and established a club record for most consecutive games with at least one RBI (2007).
In a career filled with big hits and accomplishment, his finest moment came October 27, 2002 when his bases-clearing double would prove to be the game-winner in the Angels 4-1 victory over San Francisco, resulting in the club’s first World Championship.
Anderson, who spent the final two years of his career with Atlanta (2009) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2010), remains the club all-time leader in the following offensive categories: games (2,013), at-bats (7,989), runs (1,024), hits (2,368), total bases (3,743), extra-base hits (796), doubles (489) and RBI (1,292). He is also tied for third in average with Johnny Ray at .296, third in triples (35) and second in home runs (272).
