Brett Gardner playing with the New York Yankees, Miller Gardner. Photo:
Mike Stobe/Getty; New York Yankees/X
Brett Gardner and his family are getting support from his former team, the New York Yankees.
Hours after Brett, 41, and his wife Jessica Gardner announced that their son Miller Gardner died unexpectedly at age 14 while on a family vacation, the Major League Baseball (MLB) team shared a message of support.
“Our hearts are heavy, and the Yankees family is filled with grief after learning of the passing of Miller Gardner,” the Yankees wrote in an Instagram Stories post on Sunday, March 23. “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,” the team continued, referring to the Gardner family, which also includes Brett and Jessica’s other son.
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The New York Yankees’ Instagram Stories post. Yankees/Instagram
Continuing their statement, the Yankees wrote, “We grieve with Brett, Jessica, Hunter and their community of family and friends in mourning the loss of Miller.”
The team said that Brett’s teenage son “had a spark in his eyes, an outgoing and feisty personality, and a warm and loving nature.”
“Our love for the Gardner family is unconditional and absolute, and we will offer our enduring support while understanding their desire for privacy at this,” the Yankees added.
They then concluded their social media post, writing, “May Miller rest in peace.”
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Miller Gardner. New York Yankees/X
In Brett and Jessica’s statement about their son’s death, the parents said Miller “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,” they continued.
The couple — who wed in 2007 — later 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,” Brett and Jessica concluded. “Please respect our wishes for privacy as we mourn and search for healing.”
Brett Gardner playing with the New York Yankees in 2021. Adam Hunger/Getty
Gardner is an outfielder who spent the entirety of his 14-year MLB career with the Yankees. His playing career ended after the 2021 season, though he didn’t officially announce his retirement.
He and his wife did not detail where they were on vacation at the time of the incident, or the cause of death for their son.
