The teenage son of former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner passed away unexpectedly after falling ill on vacation, the family said Sunday.
41-year-old Brett Gardner and his wife Jessica Gardner announced their teenage death on the Yankees social media page. Miller Gardner, 14, fell ill along with several other relatives during the trip, the family said.
“There are very few questions and answers at this point, but I know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, March 21st,” they wrote in a statement.
The couple, who share their older son, Hunter Gardner, did not reveal details about their trip or the illnesses Miller signed up for. They requested privacy.
“Miller is our beloved son and brother, and we still can’t understand our lives without his infectious smile,” they write. “He loved soccer, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived his life to the fullest every day.”
They thanked “all those who reached out to provide support and encouragement during this difficult time” and spread their prayers to our son’s friends, teammates, and all other families who lost their children as soon as we shared their grief. ”
Former outfielder Brett Gardner spent 14 seasons in baseball with the Yankees. He was part of the team when he won his final World Series in 2009, just a year after his MLB debut.
In a statement from the team itself, the Yankees described Miller Gardner as “sparkling sparks in his eyes, extroverted, energetic personality, and a warm and loving nature.
“I feel that words are insignificant and insufficient to try to explain these unimaginable losses,” the Yankees said on social media. “Brett wasn’t the only one who literally grew up in this organization for over 17 years, as did his wife Jessica and two boys, Hunter and Miller.”
