Garret Anderson, remembering a quiet legend in the Angels organization

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images ANAHEIM -- It's a day of mourning in the Los Angeles Angels organization. On Friday morning, the Angels announced that Garret Anderson had passed away. Anderson was the embodiment of what it meant to not only be a professional athlete, but a great person, spending 15 of his 17-year career with the Angels and being a role model on and off the field.

Anderson was a three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger winner, a key member of the Angels winning their first World Series in 2002, and is a member of the club's Hall of Fame. There is a good reason as to why Anderson is in the Angels Hall of Fame, leading the club in multiple categories as an all-time hitting leader for RBIs (1,292), doubles (489), hits (2,368), and total bases (3,743). When he finished his career, he transitioned into a broadcasting role back with the club he grew up with as a player.

Anderson was quick to find himself partnered with someone he spent most of his playing career with, playing on the opposite side of the outfield, in Tim Salmon. Salmon was choked up this afternoon when speaking about Anderson and said the two had so many similar life experiences throughout their playing careers. "We had very similar upbringings," Salmon said.

"Single moms, stoic grandmothers that helped raise us. We both married our college and high school sweethearts. Our wives were pregnant at the same time, our kids grew up together.