That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Mike Trout’s 400th Home Run is Magical

A fan Alberto (left) at Coors Field caught Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout’s (right) 400th home run against the Colorado Rockies. The two played catch after the game on the field as one of Alberto’s wishes. Trout also handed Alberto three autograph bats. (photo from Instagram)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

When fans attend a major league baseball game, they often dream of catching a home run ball, but sometimes much more happens, and it does not always involve a money request between the fan and the player.. The fan who caught and returned Mike Trout’s 400th home run ball (485 foot blast) had one small request from the 3-time MVP. He wanted to play catch with him.

Alberto was the name of the fan at Coors Field on Saturday, who was attending the game with his wife and two children. According to Alberto, he told his young sons minutes before Trout’s home run, “he has a lot of power.” Alberto just happened to be in the right seat at the right time, and although this did not happen at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, within walking distance of Disneyland, where Dreams Come True, it happened at Coors Field in Denver, and this fan’s dream came true.

After the game, Alberto and Trout played catch in front of the third base dugout for a few minutes as his wife captured the whole thing on her phone. Trout’s prodigious shot helped the Angels beat the Rockies 3-0. Alberto brought his glove, but he did not need it to catch the ball; however, it came in handy when Trout said he would accept the offer of playing catch with him in return, Albert gave Mike Trout the ball, and Trout also gave Alberto three of his bats personally autographed.

I covered Mike Trout since the first time he arrived from the Angels’ Salt Lake City AAA affiliate in July 2011. This Saturday, his 400th homerun made him the 59th player in history to achieve that milestone. A first-ballot ‘sure thing ‘ for the Hall of Fame, Mike Trout is as good a player as I have seen in uniform. He is well-liked by fans, the media, and his teammates, both with the Angels and other teams.

Every player who played with him or against him has nothing but good stuff to say about Trout. José Mota (now with the Dodgers) and yours truly interviewed Mike Trout on many occasions, and he was always a class act.

A veteran baseball writer in Anaheim told me about Mike Trout, “he reminds me of Cal Ripken Jr”, for his professionalism and excellence all around.. The Angels’ last playoff appearance was in 2014, as they currently hold the longest active playoff drought in Major League Baseball, which is now 11 seasons long as of the end of the 2025 season. In his 15 years with the Los Angeles Angels in the major leagues, Mike Trout has only played in three (3) postseason games.

Mike Trout is not retiring after the current season; he is in the middle of a contract that runs through 2030 and has stated he plans to retire with the Los Angeles Angels. Despite ongoing injury issues, especially with his left knee, his financial commitment and team situation make it highly unlikely he would retire early.

I am sure we will hear from Trout on his plans. He is a great ‘old-fashioned ‘, very unassuming 34-year player, who comes day and night, to play a game he has always played since childhood in Vineland, New Jersey.

Mike Trout has only played in three postseason games so far. These luminaries never played in the Postseason: Ernie Banks, Ferguson Jenkins, Billy Williams, Luke Appling, and Ted Lyons of the Chicago White Sox, Harry Heilman of the Detroit Tigers, and Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners.

Quote Shoeless Joe Jackson: When Ted Williams famously concluded his .400 season, manager Connie Mack said, “I wish I had a Williams. I had one once, and I lost him”. This quote refers to the ineligible Shoeless Joe Jackson, whose ban from baseball prevented him from ever making it to Cooperstown. Here is the link to The Baseball Hall of Fame, at Cooperstown, New York, one of my favorite places on earth. https://baseballhall.org/planyourvisit

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O: Dodgers Ohtani on a tear with 53rd home run; M’s Raleigh hits 57th HR passes Griffey for most homers by a Mariner in a season; plus more news

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodgers Stadium on Sat Sep 20, 2025 (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:

#1 Charlie the Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is swinging the bats he cracked his 53rd home run on Friday night against the San Francisco Giants. The home run was a 403 foot shot that he parked into the Dodgers grand stands in left field. Ohtani also scored his 140th run of the season a career high.

#2 Cal Raleigh slugged his 57th home run of the season that moved him past former Seattle Mariner Ken Griffey the most home runs by a Mariner in a season. Griffey in 1997 hit 56 home run that achievement got Griffey got him near unanimous induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016.

#3 Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout hit his 400th career home run on Saturday night against the Colorado Rockies. Trout who is an 11 time All Star hit the 485 shot in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies that was deposited into the left center field stands. The Angels got the win 3-0 which snapped a eight game skid for the Halos.

#4 New York Yankee Giancarlo Stanton says his 450th home run is a nice round number that he hit on Saturday night against the Baltimore Orioles on the way to a 6-1 win. Stanton now now has played in 1719 games joining Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire, Alex Rodriguez and Harmon Killebrew who got to 450 faster than Stanton.

#5 The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Minnesota Twins 8-0 for their tenth win in a row on Saturday and swept a doubleheader shutting out the Twins twice in front game and in the night cap. The Guardians have now won 15 of their last 16 games and are closing in on first place Detroit in the AL Central. How much of that speaks to the great job that Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt has done someone you spoke with often when he used to play in Oakland?

 Charlie O does the MLB The Show podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: De La Cruz pays tribute to late sister after home run; Suspect in Astros McCullers threats apologizes; plus more news

Cincinnati Reds hitter Elly De La Cruz slugs a sixth inning home run at Wrigley Field on Sun Jun 1, 2025 and later dedicates it to his late sister Genelis who passed away in the Dominican Republic. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Cincinnati Reds star Elly De la Cruz didn’t need to play on Sunday and no one would have blamed him if he didn’t. Cruz’s older sister Genelis De La Cruz Sanchez passed away in the Dominican Republic after suffering a number of health issues. Cruz hitting against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field tag a deep drive to left field and rounded the bases pointing heavenward and giving the heart sign. Elly could also be a candidate for the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame if he continues to play at the level he has that’s in the future.

#2 A drunk intoxicated fan overseas sent threats to Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers and had also threatened his two kids the Houston Police announced on Monday. The suspect in the case has not been charged as of yet but police have indentified as overseas gambler who admitted that to police he gambled on an Astros game and lost and sent the threats to McCullers. The suspect says he apologized to McCullers and his family for making the threats. Charges for the threats are being considered.

#3 You covered them you knew them when you worked at the Seattle Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson who wore number 51 and Ichiro Suzuki who both wore number 51 will have their numbers retired by the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro wrote to the Big Unit if he could wear number 51 when he joined the Mariners and Johnson gave his permission. Talk about both players as you saw them when you covered the Mariners in your television days there.

#4 Amaury talk about the ejection of the Tampa Bay Rays Taylor Walls who tapped on his helmet after being called out on strikes on Sunday at Daikin Park in Houston by home plate umpire Nick Lentz after being ejected from the game Walls went ballistic and charged at Wentz several times only to be restrained by the coaches and a couple teammates before being led to the clubhouse.

#5 Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said after designated hitter Mike Trout had returned from his knee injury and had successful days on Friday and Saturday at the plate but was benched Sunday as Wash called it for taking a break it was not a reflection on his left knee injury. Expect Trout to get a day off every other two days as the Angels approach his return cautiously.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

http://goaquaadventure.com

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O Sun Jun 1, 2025: Ohtani and Judge both homer in Yanks-Dodgers WS rematch; LA’s Betts returns after fracturing toe; plus more MLB news

Shohei Ohtani the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar watches the flight of the baseball in the sixth inning for his 22nd NL leading home run against the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Fri May 30, 2025 (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O Sun Jun 1, 2025:

#1 In the 2024 World Series rematch on Friday the Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani and the New York Yankees Aaron Judge both homered in the first inning. It’s like the perfect scenario between both teams on the big stage. The Yankees are the winningest team in the AL and the Dodgers tied for second best record with three other team in the NL.

#2 The Dodgers Mookie Betts stubbed his toe in a dark bathroom but the injury isn’t enough to keep him off the ballfield. Betts stubbed his toe against a wall while walking in a dark bathroom on Wednesday. Betts fractured the toe and missed only Thursday and Friday’s games and was back in the line up on Saturday.

#3 After being out with a left knee injury Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout returned to the line up on Friday night. Trout who normally plays in the outfield was the designated hitter against the Cleveland Guardians and hammered a fourth inning base hit for his only hit of the game in four at bat attempts. Trout said that despite striking out in two at bats he felt good on his return. Saturday Trout went 3-4 so he’s getting his groove back in the DH role.

#4 Things continue to get rougher for the last place Colorado Rockies who lost their ninth out of their last ten games this time to the New York Mets 4-2. The Mets Francisco Lindor had himself a game hitting a homer from the left and right sides. Juan Soto snapped his 0-17 slump with a RBI double.

#5 The Sacramento A’s have now lost 15 of their last 16 games. They have shuttled players from their Las Vegas affiliate to Sacramento to see if they can tweak what’s wrong but A’s manager Mark Kotsay is still looking for solutions. It’s been since the first week of May that the A’s at one time were just one game from moving into first place in the AL West but have fallen back into the cellar now some 8.5 game off the pace.

Join Charlie O for the A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast Michael Duca Fri May 30, 2025: Trout expected back in line up tonight for Angels; Braves Sale strikes out 2,500th batter; plus more news

Mike Trout (right) talks with batting coach Johnny Washington (left) in the Los Angeles Angels dugout before their game against the Seattle Mariners on Wed April 30, 2025 at T Mobile Field in Seattle. Trout is expected back in the line up for Fri May 30, 2025 game against the Cleveland Guardians after suffering a left knee injury. (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Michael Duca Fri May 30, 2025:

#1 The Los Angeles Angels are expected to activate outfielder Mike Trout Friday night before their game against the Cleveland Guardians. The Angels have optioned Matthew Lugo to Triple-A Salt Lake City on Thursday. Trout suffered left knee soreness on April 30th and had to leave the game against the Seattle Mariners in the fourth inning. Trout last season had to have two surgeries on the knee due to a meniscus tear.

#2 What a great career for Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale who is the fastest pitcher to strikeout 2,500 batters. Sale pitched six inning of shutout ball against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday in a 9-3 win in the night cap of a doubleheader which which the Phillies won the front game 5-4. In the sixth inning of the second game Sale struck out Edmundo Sosa in the sixth inning it was Sale’s eighth strikeout of the game to reach the 2,500 career strikeouts mark. Sale joins three other active pitchers to have achieved the record, Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.

#3 The Seattle Mariners shortstop JP Crawford was livid over a third strike call by umpire Andy Fletcher on Thursday night on a pitch that Crawford argued was outside. Fletcher didn’t waste anytime into the argument and tossed Crawford from the game. With runners at the corners in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals with a 2-0 lead. Nats pitcher MacKenzie Gore threw a pitch to Crawford that the pitch chart showed was outside. You could hear Crawford on the crowd mic yelling “That’s not a strike man” to which the argument was too close for comfort and manager Dan Wilson had to come out and restrain Crawford.

#3 Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper was out of Thursday’s first game of a doubleheader versus the Atlanta Braves and was also not in the starting line up in the second game. This after being hit in the elbow with a pitch on Tuesday. Harper took a 95.3 fastball in the elbow from Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider. Harper had suffered swelling and pain.

#4 The Sacramento A’s continue to struggle losing their 14 out 15th game on Thursday night against the Toronto Blue Jays 12-0 at Rogers Centre in Toronto. The Jays cut through the A’s pitching like butter with four home runs and a eight run second inning. The first two pitchers for the A’s were lit up. Starter Jacob Lopez in 1.2 innings of work allowed six hits and seven earned runs. A’s reliever Anthony Maldonado pitched an inning allowing four hits and four earned runs. Question how will manager Mark Kotsay stop the bleeding?

#5 The San Francisco Giants Kyle Harrison (0-1 ERA 3.86) gets the start again against the Miami Marlins on Friday night in Miami. Harrison in his last game pitched four innings allowing five hits and two earned runs. Giants have lost six of their last ten games. How do you see Harrison Friday night against the Marlins to open the series?

Join Michael Duca for the MLB The Show podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sat : Astro Fan grabs ball out of Halo Trout’s glove, ruled foul fan tossed; Yanks Stroman on 15 day IL for inflammation; plus more news

Los Angeles Angels right fielder Mike Trout is none too happy after Houston Astros fan Jared Whalen took the ball out of his glove after reaching into the stands and making a catch. Whalen apologized and tried to hand the ball back to Trout. Whalen was ejected out of the park but later returned to meet and apologize to Trout in person at Daikin Park in Houston on Sat Apr 12, 2025 (New York Times photo)

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O:

#1 Los Angeles Angels right fielder Mike Trout was racing towards the right field stands to make a leaping catch while extending his arm in what would have been a great catch but a fan who was wearing a Houston Astros jersey caught the ball before Trout and took the ball away. The umpires further ruled that the fan had took the ball out of Trout’s glove. The fan looked sorry for the misdeed raised his arms and offered to give the ball back to Trout. The fan was escorted out of the Daikin Park in Houston. First base umpire Alan Porter ruled the ball foul rather than rule it a fly out. Astros hitter Yanier Diaz later ended up flying to center to end the inning. Jared Whalen the fan later said he was protecting his son’s face and later met with Trout in the clubhouse area where Trout ended up giving a bat to Whalen’s son.

#2 The New York Yankees announced on Saturday that Marcus Stroman will be placed on the 15 day IL due to left knee inflammation this being one day after Stroman surrendered five runs with two outs in a 9-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. Stroman was sent to the hospital after throwing 46 pitches during a rainy Friday game.

#3 Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Richard Fitts had to leave Saturday’s game against the Chicago White Sox with right shoulder pain. Fitts surrendered two hits, struck out five and walked a batter and left in the fifth inning. Fitts will be coming back to Boston to undergo an MRI said Sox manager Alex Cora.

#4  Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians was one of the most dominating relievers in baseball last season. Clase said he was not a pitching machine and that he was human and that he could make mistakes. Clase has struggled in the first few weeks of the season. So far Clase is 2-0 with one save. On Saturday night he gave up six runs on 14 hits.

#5 Could the Los Angeles Dodgers end up being one of the best big league teams. The all time win record for a season sits at 116 held by the 1906 Chicago White Sox and the 2001 Seattle Mariners. The Dodgers are good enough but can they eclipse the Sox and M’s for the all time wins in a season record.

Join Charlie for headline sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB podcast with Michael Duca: Giants Verlander helping out younger players; Webb starting opening day; plus more news

San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander (35) watches the pitchers throw at the Giants Cactus League park in Scottsdale AZ on Wed Feb 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

On MLB podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Your going to spring training what are some of the things that your looking forward to at the Cactus League.

#2 Your going to be in Scottsdale the spring training home of the Giants and you’ve host the San Francisco Giants podcasts for us what are some the things that you’ll be looking for in spring training.

#3 Justin Verlander is the big name on the Giants pitching staff but there is no surprise that Logan Webb got the call for opening day starter.

#4 Verlander will be helping out the young pitcher Yoda he will be. He’s already help Hayden Birdsong moving from one side of the rubber to the other.

#5 Mike Trout connected for a spring training home run on Wednesday it was his first home run in ten months and he’s recovered from his back problems and hopes to be swinging the bats for the Los Angeles Angels for 2025.

#6 Michael, talk about Anthony Rendon he’s expected in camp for the Angels and has had suffered injuries keeping him out of the line up at times over the last two seasons.

#7 The Dodgers owe eight players $1 billion did the Dodgers get into the red with the inflated payroll that they have.

#8 The salary cap has been a well talked about issue as the Collective Bargaining Agreement is up after the 2026 season it’s an issue that could trigger a players strike.

Join Michael Duca Thursdays for the MLB podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Diamondbacks sign Perdomo to four year $45 million extension; Ex New York teammates Judge and Soto debate which team is better; plus more news

Geraldo Perdomo signed a $45 million four year extension with the Arizona Diamondback that takes him though 2029 with an option for 2030 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Geraldo Perdomo and the Arizona Diamondbacks have come to an agreement on a $45 million four year extension with a club option in 2030. Perdomo hit .273, 92 hits, 3 homers, and 37 RBIs last season.

#2 Former teammates Juan Soto of the New York Mets and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees disagree on who is the better team. Soto said that the Mets are the better team but Judge said the Yankees are ready and are the Big Apple’s better club. “That’s his opinion. He can say what he wants. I definitely disagree with him,” Judge said. “He’s going to be in a great spot. It’s going to be great having him in the town. We’re going to be battling back and forth for quite a few years.

#3 The Boston Red Sox Rafael Devers said he not giving up his third base position after the Sox signed Alex Bregman. Devers has played third since 2017 and has been to the All Star game three times and got a big league deal with the Sox two seasons ago. Do you see a third base controversy between Dever and Bregman?

#4  Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout was moved from center field to right field. The idea was to keep Trout’s body preserved and healthy. Trout at 33 is looking forward to playing in the 2025 season for the Halos, “I knew it was coming,” Trout said before the team’s first full-squad workout Monday. “I just wanna be on the field.”

#5 Sacramento A’s manager Mark Kotsay received a contract extension from the A’s that runs through the 2028 with a club option for 2029. Kotsay who saw a lot of loses with the A’s in the last three seasons but helped improved the club by developing a young roster and was remembered for his words after the A’s very last game in Oakland. Kotsay is hoping for more joyful times as the A’s open the season in Sacramento.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977, a role he continues to this day (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Tagovailoa banks largest deal in Dolphins history 4 yrs $212.4M; Iraqi Olympian Sehen suspended for steroids; plus more news

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throws at training camp on Wed Jul 24, 2024. Tagovailoa signed the biggest contract in Dolphins history this week (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins have reached a four year extension agreement worth $212.4M. Tagovailoa’s salary is the highest in Dolphins history. Tagovailoa’s salary is the third highest behind Jacksonville Jaguars Trevor Lawrence and the Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow at $55 million per year.

#2 Charlie O, it’s an Olympic year and it didn’t take long right out of the shoot in Paris when an athlete from Iraq was found to test positive for anabolic steroids. Sajjad Sehen who tested for steroids was found to be positive for metandienone and boldenone. Sehen has been suspended from participating in the games.

#3 After an MRI Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout left knee came back clean. Trout said he had been dealing with scar tissue buildup and inflammation. Trout upon learning the MRI results said “It’s a huge relief for me.” Trout was out with a torn meniscus and had been on the IL since April 30th. Trout was hitting .220, 10 home runs, 14 RBIs in 29 games.

#4 Carolyn McArdle the San Francisco Giants newest permanent PA announcer who was a Sacramento Rivercats PA announcer will be introducing the lineup and other messages at Oracle Park for the rest of the season. After long time former PA announcer Renel did not have her contract renewed last December the Giants had been rotating PA announcers which included Danny Miller the San Jose Sharks and San Jose Earthquakes permanent announcer. McArdle is music director at 98.1 The Breeze.

#5 Other Major League teams have been shopping Oakland A’s outfielder Brent Rooker and pitcher Mason Miller before the trade deadline. Neither are free agents and are making near the minimum and the A’s most likely will hang onto both of them for the rest of this season. Miller is on the 10 day IL after fracturing his pinkie finger in his non throwing hand so he’s been taken off the shelf on any trade rumors.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB podcast with Augie Mesenburg: Astros could be a force if they can just clinch a playoff spot; Braves add Morton to IL; plus more news

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is hoping to lead the Astros into the post season, in the Wild Card the Astros are in third place and are 1.5 back in the AL West. (AP file photo)

On the MLB The Show podcast with Augie:

#1 Augie, the Houston Astros just holding onto the third position in the AL Wild Card and they are 1.5 games back of the Texas Rangers in the AL West. If the Astros get into post season they will be as tough as anyone in the American League playoffs.

#2 One thing the Atlanta Braves have to be concerned about is their pitching rotation which added Charlie Morton to the 15 IL today. Morton is suffering from a right sprain finger and can’t pitch NL Division Series. Morton (14-12 ERA 3.64) how much will he be missed for the beginning of the post season?

#3 Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts set an Major League record for the most RBIs for a leadoff hitter in a season with 105. Betts hit an eighth inning double on Saturday night against the San Francisco Giants pitcher Ross Stripling to score Dodgers Austin Barnes and David Peralta.

#4 The Los Angeles Angels had already shut down Shohei Ohtani and Anthony Rendon now they have officially ended outfielder Mike Trout’s 2023 season as the injuries pile on the Angels. Trout who returned Aug 22after fracturing a hamate bone but was still in discomfort and returned to the 30 day IL. It was announced by the Angles Trout would be out for the rest of the season on Sunday.

#5 After the Pittsburgh Pirates took two out of three games from the Chicago Cubs in a previous series the Pirates came right and and rallied for nine runs against the Cincinnati Reds to come back and win 13-12. The Reds who have been suffering all season had their bullpen meltdown as the Pirates came back with nine runs to win it. The last time the Pirates came back to win scoring nine runs was way back in 1882.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com