Millville’s Mike Trout reflects on his career in return to Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA – Mike Trout was both reflective and appreciative, returning home once again to play the game he loves in his backyard of sorts.

Trout and the Los Angeles Angels are in town for a weekend series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

The pride of Millville High School, Trout loves coming to the Delaware Valley, and he has a tremendous appreciation for where he came from. Nobody has been a better ambassador of Millville.

Even though he is destined for Cooperstown following his playing career, Trout has experienced his share of downs along with the many ups. The ups have dominated the majority of his career, but the downs have surfaced especially in recent years, due to various injuries.

Through it all, Trout sees the bigger picture – he is still playing the game he loves, but also understands that nothing is guaranteed. Injuries have robbed him of 408 games since 2021, including 26 this year when he was sidelined with a bone bruise in his left knee. He has returned to the lineup, serving as a designated hitter, unable to yet play in the outfield, although Trout hopes that situation will eventually be remedied.

Trout, who turns 34 next month, understands that time doesn’t slow down, even for superstars.

“It’s been special, you think of how fast it is going,” Trout said in an interview with the media early Friday afternoon, about four hours before game time. “Year 14 and I am trying to enjoy every bit of it…”

Trout has won three American League MVP awards and has been runner-up three more times. This is actually his 15th season.

Where has the time gone?

Didn’t it seem like yesterday when Trout was belting 18 home runs during his senior year at Millville in 2009, and then was selected by the Angels as the 25th player in the first round of the MLB draft?

He also entered the weekend near two major milestones with 395 home runs and 995 RBIs. Trout would have blown through these milestones years ago, had not the injuries occurred, but again he chooses to take a philosophical look at the situation.

“It is what it is, it’s just, things happen,” he said. “God had a purpose, putting me in these situations.”

The statistics, at least by Trout’s standards, have been down this year. He entered the weekend batting .238 with 17 home runs and 41 RBIs in 299 plate appearances.

Yet he still has an .836 OPS, and a 130 OPS+. That later statistic means he is 30 percent above the average player. Trout’s career OPS+ entering the weekend was a staggering 171. That figure is tied for 11th all-time, according to Baseballreference.com.

Trout is an 11-time All-Star, but hasn’t been selected for the midsummer classic during the past two seasons, including this year.

He doesn’t feel his days as an All-Star have passed him by. Next year’s game will be in Philadelphia.

When asked if he wanted to be in Philadelphia playing in the All-Star game, he had a predictable answer.

“Oh definitely,” he said.

Playing for something

Despite Trout’s excellence, the Angels haven’t enjoyed anywhere near the same success. He has only been to the postseason once, in 2014 and that lasted all of three games, with the Angels being swept by the Kansas City Royals in the American Legion Division Series.

This season the Angels have been more competitive than many figured. While far from a juggernaut, the Angels are hanging around in the wild card race. They entered the weekend 47-49. four games out of the final wild card spot. Last year, they were 41-55 at a similar juncture.

With the July 31 trade deadline approaching, many teams could be going for it. Trout is enthused to at least be in the playoff conversation, even if now it is the outer limits of the discussion.

“I think the team in there right now, we have a great mindset,” he said. “We come to the ballpark, we pull for each other, we hold each other accountable, we’ve got a great group in there.”

Trout wasn’t finished.

“We pass the baton at the plate,” he said. “We’re tough outs. That’s what winning ball games versus the past.”

There is still a lot of work for the Angels and for Trout in order to even play meaningful games in September.

He’d also rather be playing in the field, but it beats the alternative.

“I am happy to be in the lineup contributing,” he said. “Years past, it’s just coming to the ballpark and not being able to at least hit, that was frustrating, tough, but it is what it is, hopefully I’ll get out in the outfield soon.”

Appreciative of the Philadelphia fans

Trout says he cherishes his trips to Philadelphia, which now come every other year, with the way the schedule is configured. He has a great deal of respect for the Philadelphia fans.

Heck, he is one.

Trout is among the most noted diehard Philadelphia Eagles fans, a longtime season ticket holder.

“I just respect the fan base,” he said. “I know how I am when I am at the Eagles games. I know how they are. How they support their teams and that is how it was growing up. Just the passion they have as fans, they are faithful.”

And when talking of the fans, there is always the question that Trout can’t ignore: Would he like to one day finish his career in Philadelphia?

“I see it all the time, especially going to Eagles games and stuff,” he said. “I think being a South Jersey kid, I am always going to get it. Growing up I loved Philly, the sports teams…”

Later during the interview sessions, he was asked again, if he would like to play in Philadelphia.

“…Right now, I’m enjoying myself with this team in here,” he said. “These guys come to the ballpark every day, play hard.”

It didn’t exactly answer the question, but what is Trout going to say? One thing for sure is that he still loves playing and is grateful to still be applying his craft.

Marc Narducci is a freelance reporter for the Courier-Post. He can be reached by email at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Millville’s Mike Trout reflects on his career upon his return to Philadelphia