SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 24: A wieght with the Los Angeles Dodgers logo on it, used by the Cleveland Indians sits in the on-deck circle during a MLB baseball against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park June 24, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The Giants won the game 4-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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The Los Angeles Dodgers were among the teams that learned their former player had died of a heart attack earlier this week.
The wife of Garret Anderson, a 17-year big leaguer who played for the Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves and Dodgers in his three-time All-Star career, told ESPN News Services that Anderson had died of a heart attack. And heartfelt messages as well as recollections of his baseball prowess immediately followed.
"Garret will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Angels fans for his professionalism, class and loyalty throughout his career and beyond,” Angels owner Arte Moreno said in a statement, as shared by ESPN. “His admiration and respect for the game was immeasurable."
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Anderson is the Angels all-time hits leader and won a World Series championship with the team in 2002. But shortly before he ended his career, he signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers and appeared in 80 games.
That was the same season that Dodgers’ superstar first baseman Freddie Freeman began his own career with the Atlanta Braves. But Freeman recalled going to Angels games as a child and cheering for Anderson.
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“As a left-handed hitter, seeing him be able to hit line drives to left field whenever it felt like he pleased, he could do it,” Freeman told the New York Post’s Jack Harris. “He made me, as a little boy, love watching the game of baseball.”
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“I just loved watching Garret hit and Darin Erstad play defense,” Freeman added, per Harris. “When you’re taught to hit the ball to left field, and then you see a major leaguer who is pretty much doing what you’re being taught to do, you gravitate toward him.”
The Dodgers star also recalled a personal interaction with Anderson, which lived up to his expectations as a long-time fan.
“You always hear, ‘Don’t meet your heroes,’” Freeman said, according to Harris. “But then I got to meet him, and I was like, ‘I’m glad I did.’ Because he was a beautiful man. And I wish he was still here. He meant a lot to so many people.”
Anderson’s legacy and his personal connection made news of his death all the more impactful for Freeman. The first base slugger summed up his reaction to Anderson’s heart attack with a four-word response.
“53 is too young,” Freeman said, Harris reported.
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