The son of a top former Yankees player has. Officials in Costa Rica confirmed Wednesday that Miller Gardner, the teenage son of former Yankees player Brett Gardner, died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Miller passed away on March 21 while vacationing with his family at a hotel in Costa Rica. According to the Associated Press, Randall Zúñiga, director of the Judicial Investigation Agency, stated that the 14-year-old had a lethal amount of carboxyhemoglobin in his system—a compound formed when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the blood.
Zúñiga noted that a machine room adjacent to their hotel room may have been the source of contamination. Initially, authorities suspected asphyxiation, but an autopsy ruled it out. Investigators also considered food poisoning, as several family members reported feeling ill after a meal the night before Miller’s passing.
In a statement shared by the Yankees, the Gardner family described Miller as a cherished son and brother with an infectious smile. They expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received and asked for privacy as they mourn and seek healing. Their message also extended prayers to Miller’s teammates, friends, and other families who have endured similar losses.
Yankees Captain Aaron Judge’s ESPN Ranking Raises Eyebrows Among Veterans
The New York Yankees have started the season 3-2, with Aaron Judge dominating in a recent series against the Milwaukee Brewers, belting four home runs and driving in 11 runs. Despite his stellar performance and reigning AL MVP status, ESPN ranked him fourth on its Top 100 list—causing some veteran players to question the placement.
Pirates star Andrew McCutchen voiced his doubts, acknowledging Bobby Witt Jr.’s talent but questioning how he ranked above Judge. “I like Bobby Witt’s skill set, and he had a great year, but considering what Judge has done for multiple seasons, it’s hard to put Witt ahead of him,” McCutchen said.
Teammate Tommy Pham echoed the sentiment, saying, “Judge as the fourth-best player? Am I tripping? Look at his numbers. Judge shouldn’t be that low.” He added that while Mookie Betts, Witt, and Shohei Ohtani (ranked first) are elite players, Judge’s performance last season was on par with Barry Bonds at his peak.
Statistically, Judge had one of the greatest seasons ever for a right-handed hitter, leading the league with 58 home runs and 144 RBIs while securing his second AL MVP. While Ohtani’s top ranking is understandable, Witt and Betts being placed ahead of Judge has sparked debate.
Judge’s impressive start to this season contrasts with last year when he didn’t hit his fourth home run until April 24. This year, he surpassed that mark before March even ended. Perhaps ESPN’s ranking will serve as extra motivation as he aims to challenge his 62-homer record.
The Yankees have seven players on the Top 100 list, including Judge, Max Fried, Devin Williams, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Anthony Volpe, Carlos Rodón, and Cody Bellinger. Notably, Gerrit Cole was left off the list due to a season-ending elbow injury.
