Mike Trout Overcomes Injuries While Setting Records

by Kaleab Afeworki, age 12

Mike Trout, one of the best 21st-century baseball players, was born in the small town of Vineland, New Jersey, on Aug. 7th, 1991.

Trout attended Millville High School, where he was scouted by the minor leagues. He was the 25th overall pick to the Los Angeles Angels in 2009. In 2010, he got the J.G Taylor Spink Award which is given to the best players in the minors. In 2012, he made his first major league season appearance with the Los Angeles Angels.

Trout had an amazing rookie season, leading the American League with 129 home runs, 49 steals, with a 0.326 batting average. Unfortunately, he came in second in the 2012 MVP under Miguel Cabrera. Despite that, Trout managed to win the 2012 Rookie of the Year trophy. In 2013, Trout led the American League with 109 runs and 110 walks but got second in MVP, beaten by Cabrera again. In 2014, Trout had a career-high of 36 home runs. In the same season, Trout managed to dethrone Cabrera and earned his first MVP award.

Unfortunately, Trout would appear on the injured list many times, Trout missed 39 games in 2017 because of a thumb ligament injury – however, he still managed to hit 33 home runs that season. During the 2020 season, which got cut short because of the pandemic, Trout obtained his 300th career home run. The following year, he got a calf injury making him miss most of the 2021 season. Later in that season, Trout developed a rare back condition, which would keep him from playing until the next season. Although Trout had his setbacks, his achievements are still remarkable.

Most baseball fans debate whether Trout is the best 21st-century player. He had a great career totaling three MVPs, 378 home runs, 1,128 runs, 11-time All-Star, and a nine-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

[Source: Britticana]