Garret Joseph Anderson (born June 30, 1972 in Los Angeles, California) is a Major League Baseball left fielder who has played his entire career for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He is the franchise leader in games played, at-bats, hits, total bases, singles, doubles, extra-base hits, and RBI.
High school career[]
Garret Anderson attended Kennedy High School in Granada Hills, California. While there, he was a three sport star in baseball, football, and basketball. In baseball, he won two All-Los Angeles City honors and two All-League Honors, and as a junior, helped his team win the Los Angeles City Championship. In basketball, as a senior, he won All-Los Angeles City honors and All-League honors.
Career with the Angels[]
Since signing with the California Angels in 1994, Garret Anderson has emerged as one of the greatest players in the franchise's history. After finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting in 1995 to Marty Cordova of the Minnesota Twins, Anderson became a mainstay in the Angels' lineup. Over the next 8 seasons, he accumulated at least 600 at bats every year, breaking 90 RBIs and 20 Home Runs 5 times while compiling a batting average near .300. In 2002, when the Angels won their first World Series championship, Garret finished 4th in the MVP voting after compiling a .306 average with 29 home runs and 123 runs batted in. After a similarly strong performance in 2003, Anderson's career has taken a down turn in production. Starting with 2004, he has experienced chronic ailments, including an arthritic condition and plantar fasciitis in his feet. In 2005, he began to see more regular time as a designated hitter to ease the wear and tear off of his body. Anderson's production in 2006 was roughly on par with his 2005 production, with both seasons seeing him hit 17 home runs and drive in at least 85 runs. Despite his continued ability to drive in runs, Anderson is now statistically considered a slightly better than average hitter.
Current Contract[]
4 years, $48 million (2005-2008), plus $14 million 2009 club option
- $3 million signing bonus
- 2005: $9 million
- 2006: $10 million
- 2007: $11 million
- 2008: $12 million
- 2009: $14 million club option ($3 million club option)
- Signed as an extension to 4 year, $20 million contract that was set to expire after 2004 season
Highlights[]
- Three-time All-Star (2002-03, 2005)
- All-Star Game MVP (2003)
- The Sporting News Rookie of the Year (1995)
- Twice Silver Slugger Award (2002-03)
- Home Run Derby winner (2003)
- Top 10 MVP (2002, 4th)
- Twice led American League in doubles (2002-03)
- Set a club-record 1,043 RBI, breaking the old mark set by Tim Salmon (2005)
- Collected his 2,000th career hit on July 1, 2006.
External links[]
- Garret Anderson at ESPN.com
- Baseball-Reference.com - Major league career statistics
Preceded by: Edgar Martinez |
American League Player of the Month July, 1995 |
Succeeded by: Albert Belle |
Preceded by: Cal Ripken, Jr. |
Major League Baseball All-Star Game Most Valuable Player 2003 |
Succeeded by: Alfonso Soriano |
Preceded by: Jason Giambi |
Home Run Derby Champion 2003 |
Succeeded by: Miguel Tejada |