Details have emerged about the death of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner.
Miller died on Friday, March 21, while the family was vacationing at a resort in Costa Rica, according to a Monday, March 24 report by Inside Edition. The news was reportedly confirmed by the U.S. Embassy of Costa Rica.
News of Miller’s death was announced in a statement by Brett, 41, and his wife, Jessica, 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.”
Related: Yankees Alum Brett Gardner‘s Family Guide
Off the field, former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner is a family man. The retired athlete and his wife, Jessica Clendenin, have welcomed two sons, Miller and Hunter, during their marriage Tragedy struck for the family in March 2025 when Gardner and Clendenin announced the sudden death of their youngest child. “He was 14 […]
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.”
Brett played all 14 seasons of his MLB career with the Yankees before retiring at the end of the 2021 season.
He and Jessica — who got married in 2007 — share an older son, Hunter.
No cause of death for Miller has been announced.
The Yankees organization also released their own statement on Sunday after Miller’s death was revealed, which read in part, “Our love for the Gardner family is unconditional and absolute, and we will offer our enduring support while understanding their desire for privacy at this time. May Miller rest in peace.”
Yankees general manager Aaron Boone addressed Miller’s death with reporters at the team’s spring training facilities in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday.
“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, said, per the New York Post. “A lot of people in [the clubhouse] know that family intimately. It’s a very tough day and very tough news.”
Boone added, “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.”
Brett’s final four seasons with the Yankees came with Boone as the team’s manager, who took over duties in 2018.
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza also addressed Miller’s death during his media availability on Sunday.
“I’d like to start by sending my thoughts and prayers to Jessica and Brett Gardner on the loss of his son,” Mendoza, 45, told reporters. “Obviously, I had a really, really good relationship with him. I’m thinking about him and the whole Mets organization are thinking about the Gardner family.”
Mendoza and Brett, 41, played together in the Yankees’ minor league organization from 2006 to 2007, and Mendoza later managed Brett during Mendoza’s time as bench coach for the Yankees. Mendoza was hired as Mets manager in November 2023.
“I got two boys, too, and they were pretty close,” Mendoza added.
Carlos and his wife, Frances Mendoza, share sons Adrian, 13, and Andres, 11.
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