“He lived life to the fullest every single day,” the athlete and his wife said of their late son
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Miller Gardner, Brett Gardner. Photo: New York Yankees/X; Michael Owens/Getty
Miller Gardner, the teenage son of New York Yankees player Brett Gardner, has died. He was 14.
Brett, 41, and his wife, Jessica Gardner, shared a statement on X on Sunday, March 23, announcing that their son died unexpectedly amid a getaway with loved ones.
“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,” the couple began.
“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,” they continued.
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The Gardner family in August 2013. JP Yim/Getty
The pair then described Miller as “a beloved son and brother,” adding, “We cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile.”
“He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day,” Brett and Jessica continued.
The couple — who wed in 2007 and are also parents to another son, Hunter Gardner — next expressed their gratitude to “all who have reached out to offer support and encouragement during this difficult time.”
“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,” they concluded. “Please respect our wishes for privacy as we mourn and search for healing.”
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A baseball glove with baseballs inside and a baseball bat nearby (stock image). Getty
The couple did not detail where they were on vacation at the time of the incident, or the cause of death for their son.
Gardner is an outfielder who spent the entirety of his 14-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Yankees. His playing career ended after the 2021 season, though he didn’t officially announce his retirement.
