Former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner’s teenage son died unexpectedly after falling ill on vacation, according to the family.
Brett Gardner, 41, and his wife, Jessica Gardner, announced the tragic loss via the Yankees’ social media pages Sunday. Their 14-year-old son, Miller Gardner, became ill alongside several other family members on the trip, according to the statement.
“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 wrote.
The couple, who share an older son, Hunter Gardner, did not disclose further details about their trip or the illness Miller Gardner contracted. In their statement, they requested that the public “respect our wishes for privacy as we mourn and search for healing.”
“Miller was a beloved son and brother and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile,” they wrote. “He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day.”
They thanked “all who have reached out to offer support and encouragement during this difficult time,” extending their prayers to their late son’s friends, teammates and “all other families who have lost a child far too soon as we share their grief.”
A former outfielder, Brett Gardner spent his entire 14-season baseball career with the Yankees. He was part of the team when it won its last World Series in 2009, just a year after he made his MLB debut.
In the team’s own statement, the Yankees described Miller Gardner as having “a spark in his eyes, an outgoing and feisty personality, and a warm and loving nature.”
“Words feel insignificant and insufficient in trying to describe such an unimaginable loss,” the Yankees shared on social media. “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.”