Former baseball player Brett Gardner and his family are grieving the sudden death of their teenage son, expressing that they are left with many unanswered questions.
Brett Gardner, who formerly played as an outfielder for the Yankees, and his wife Jessica, have released a heartfelt statement in response to this tragic event.
Their 14-year-old son, Miller, passed away after falling ill “along with several other family members while on vacation.”
Since retiring after his last game in 2021, Gardner had been enjoying his time with family in South Carolina.
The family’s statement mentioned: “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, “Miller was a beloved son and brother and 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.”
Offering gratitude, the statement also read: “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.”
They further added, “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.”
The family has requested privacy as they “mourn his loss and search for healing,” without providing further details on Miller’s illness.
Numerous acquaintances of the Gardner family have expressed their condolences following this news.
Aaron Boone, who managed Gardner for four seasons, described the event as ‘unimaginable’ and highlighted the significance of family.
Boone remarked: “We’re heartbroken.”
He further noted, “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.”
Boone concluded, “As best we can, we’ll be praying for the Gardner family and, where we can, offering support. That’s kind of the unimaginable that unfortunately that’s where we are with it. Very sad. Very tough.”
Support poured in from Yankees fans and Gardner supporters as they heard about the teenager’s passing.