Former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner recently announced the tragic death of his 14-year-old son, Miller.
Gardner shared a statement along with his wife, Jessica, which said the cause of death was unknown at this time and that the teen “passed away peacefully in his sleep” on Friday.
Statement from Brett and Jessica Gardner:
With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller. He was 14 years old and has left us far too soon after falling ill along with several other family members while on vacation. We have so many… pic.twitter.com/lBCBVmKGUe
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 23, 2025
“With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller,” the statement said. “He was 14 years old and has left us far too soon after falling ill along with several other family members while on vacation. We have so many questions and so few answers at this point, but we do know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, March 21st.”
“Miller was a beloved son and brother and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile,” it continued. “He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day.”
“We are so thankful to all who have reached out to offer support and encouragement during this difficult time and we are confident our faith, family, and friends will help us navigate this unimaginable loss. Our prayers go out to Miller’s teammates and friends, as well as to all other families who have lost a child far too soon as we share their grief.”
“Please respect our wishes for privacy as we mourn and search for healing,” the statement concluded.
Gardner spent his entire 14-year MLB career with the Yankees. He played his last game in 2021 and has been spending his retirement with his family in South Carolina.
The Yankees issued a statement, saying, “Our hearts are heavy, and the Yankees family is filled with grief after learning of the passing of Miller Gardner. Words feel insignificant and insufficient in trying to describe such an unimaginable loss. It wasn’t just Brett who literally grew up in this organization for more than 17 years — so did his wife, Jessica, and their two boys, Hunter and Miller.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone called the news “unimaginable.”
“We’re heartbroken,” Boone said Sunday, per The New York Post. “We talk about being family all the time and even though Brett’s been gone for a few years, that doesn’t stop. A lot of people in there [in the clubhouse] that know that family intimately. It’s a very tough day and very tough news.”
“As best we can, we’ll be praying for the Gardner family and, where we can, offering support,” he added.
