by Amaury Pi Gonzalez
ANAHEIM–I have been privileged to see Mike Trout from his first game, first at bat in the major leagues. Trout, the 2014 American League Most Valuable Player, made history again this week, when he won his second consecutive All Star Game MVP, something never done before. He also became the first player in 38 years in All Star Game competition to hit a home run to lead off the game.
There was a press conference for Mike Trout at Angel Stadium on Friday July 17, the first game of the second half of the season for the Angels and the first game of a long 10-game home stand. That same night he hit a two out bases loaded home run (his 27th leading the American League) in the bottom of the ninth against Red Sox reliever Koji Uehara, leaving the Sox dazzled on the field as he a hit monstrous line-drive that sailed over the left center field fence. Final – Angels 1 Red Sox 0.
Trout is 23 years of age, but he conducts himself with his teammates, the media, and the fans as a seasoned veteran, very affable and always accessible, always has a smile, and you can see he is truly enjoying playing the game of baseball. Nobody could be that good of an actor, even here close to Hollywood-land.
Once called the “Millville Meteor” born in Millville, New Jersey, he has not disappointed. He answers all the questions thrown at him. When asked if he met the Living Legends Bench, Koufax, Mays and Aaron, he said he never did, he also said he enjoyed very much this All Star Game (his fourth) because he got to hang with guys like Lorenzo Cain of the Kansas City Royals. Trout, still single, travels to be with his parents in his native Millville, like he just did during the All Star break. He does the same during the off season.
In 2012, the year when he won the American League Rookie of the Year, the great Detroit Tigers Hall of Fame player Al Kaline, said about Mike Trout: “he reminds me of Mickey Mantle”. This reporter saw Mickey Mantle play in New York, while I was living there after my years in the US Army. The only thing that Trout doesn’t have that Mantle had, was that Mantle was a switch hitter, aside from that Trout has as much talent as Mickey Mantle.
Speed and power, sensational defensive skills. The most important thing in baseball is to score runs, and nobody has scored more than Mike Trout since he came to the major leagues.
One of his attributes is his demeanor; he is as humble of a mega star that you would see in today’s game.
During our telecast here in Anaheim we call Trout “El Nino” trans:”The Kid”, as that is what he is, a big kid with a big heart and huge skills in display every day, every night. Mike Trout is considered The Face of MLB, taking over his hero, New York Yankee great Derek Jeter, now officially retired. There are many similarities between Trout and Jeter, they both have that special talent to be great on the field and great off the field and Major League Baseball has been blessed to have such players like Jeter and Trout.
Mike Trout is often compared to Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals, just like in the 1960’s people would argue who was better, Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays, today those two young stars are sharing that spotlight. There is prejudice on this from those that cover the American League and those that cover the National League. But, one thing in today’s game that is different from the days of Mays and Mantle is that today there is inter-league play. The only way in the 1960’s that you would see Mantle and Mays in the same game, would be in a World Series between the Yankees and the Giants.
There is a difference in attitudes between Harper and Trout. Harper seems to be flashier; by the way he conducts himself on the field and off the field, always available for other stuff more in line with show business, than Trout, who seems to be much more focus on the game on the field. Mike Trout never participated in the home run hitting contest, he could if he wanted, as he is always invited, but he always declines. Nothing big about that for him he just prefers the competition on the field with his team and teammates. He is the ultimate team player. Mike Scioscia on his 16th season as manager of the Angels, the longest tenured manager with one team in baseball today, is actually amazed at what Trout does on the field. Sometimes Sciosia doesn’t have the words to describe Mike Trout’s abilities, “He is one of a kind” said Scioscia.
Some compared the athleticism of Trout to Bo Jackson, and that is a good comparison since both are strong big guys with lots of speed. Mike Trout hits a routine groundball to the shortstop, and many times he beats the throw. Next at bat the pitcher throw’s him a low and outside pitch (like Greinke did on the All Star Game this past Tuesday) and Trout deposits the ball in the right field seats.
For the Los Angeles Angels, #27 has been a great number. Prior to the league MVP Mike Trout, that number was Vladimir Guerrero (another Angels MVP). The funny thing about that is that at Angel Stadium in Anaheim you can still see fans wearing #27 with Guerrero on the back, and many more with #27 with Trout on the back.
Another similarity between these two #27s is that they are both fan favorites, Guerrero also plays with that gusto, that thing that nobody can fake.
Personal note: My most sincere sympathy to George Devine Sr’s. family. I miss him greatly.
Amuary Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for the A’s and the Spanish TV voice for the Angels and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Sports Radio Service 