Since he joined the Los Angeles Angels in 2011, Mike Trout has served as the team’s public face. The outfield player, who is seen as a natural leader, seldom ever allows anything stop him from performing well.
But when Trout and his wife, Jessica, welcomed their first child during the truncated 2020 season, the 11-time All-Star was left with one of the most difficult decisions of his career. Mike Trout was forced to return to his squad just hours after the birth of their son, Beckham Aaron.
Trout told the New York Post, “It was really, really hard, leaving him and leaving Jess, knowing what she’s going to be going through these next couple months is tough.”
On July 30, 2020, at 5:10 p.m., a healthy baby named Beckham was born to the Los Angeles Angels player and his spouse. Trout and Jessica were students at New Jersey High School when they first got together.
Mike Trout missed a total of five days due to the birth. On August 5, after his return, the 2019 AL MVP hit a home run in his first at-bat of the game against the Seattle Mariners, and his team won 5-3.
A 12-year, $426.5 million contract was inked by Trout with the Angels the year before his son was born. Trout has endured criticism for his team’s shortcomings on numerous occasions, even though he has won three MVP Awards and numerous other accolades.
The only playoff series the Halos have been to since Mike Trout joined the organization was an ALDS appearance in 2014 that resulted in a sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals.
The team that drafted Mike Trout is still his team
Trout is once again the only superstar on the team after Shohei Ohtani left in free agency this offseason. Despite persistent rumors of a potential trade during the winter, the 32-year-old remains steadfast in his commitment to remain with the organization that drafted him.
“I think the biggest thing right now is the easy way out would be asking for a trade,” Trout stated to CBS News. “There may come a moment, perhaps. I haven’t given this much thought. I want to win a title here, and I’m dedicated to the team I signed that contract with.”
Trout may be the center of attention this year, but based on his own statements, he’s still up to the job.