The New York Yankees paid tribute to the late Miller Gardner on a somber Opening Day in the Bronx.
Miller, 14, the son of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, died while on vacation with his family in Costa Rica on Friday, March 21.
Prior to the Yankees game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, March 27, Yankee Stadium public address announcer, Paul Olden, took to the microphone.
“Before the singing of our anthem, please join the Yankees in a moment of silence as we honor a member of the Yankees family, Miller Gardner, the son of former Yankees outfielder, Brett Gardner,” Olden said. “Miller passed away last week.”
Olden continued, “He had a spark in his eyes, had outgoing and feisty personality and a warm and loving nature. Miller grew up in the Yankees organization and had become a two-sport athlete, wearing his father’s No. 11 on his football jersey. The entire Yankees organization grieves this unimaginable loss with Brett, his wife, Jessica, and their son, Hunter. Miller Gardner was just 14 years old.”
During the tribute, members of both teams lined the first and third base lines.
Brett, 41, played all 14 seasons of his MLB career with the Yankees before retiring at the end of the 2021 season.
Miller’s death was announced in a statement by Brett and Jessica, which was released by the Yankees on Sunday, March 23.
“With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller,” the statement read. “He was 14 years old and has 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.”
The statement 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.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who coached Brett during the final four years of his playing career, also addressed Miller’s passing.
“We talk about being family all the time and even though Brett’s been gone for a few years, that doesn’t stop,” Boone, 52, told reporters on Sunday. “A lot of people in [the clubhouse] know that family intimately. It’s a very tough day and very tough news.”
Miller’s cause of death is still unknown and autopsy and toxicology reports are expected to take at least two to three months due to an outbreak of violent gang activity in Costa Rica causing a backlog.
The entire Gardner family fell severely ill on the evening of Thursday, March 20, after dining at a restaurant away from their resort’s premises. They were all administered medication by a doctor once back at the resort.
Miller was found dead in his hotel room the following morning.
