History of Mike Trout in Timeline

Mike Trout is a highly acclaimed American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels. Renowned as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, particularly of his generation, he boasts an impressive resume, including being an 11-time All-Star, a three-time American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP), and a nine-time Silver Slugger Award winner. Trout also captained the United States national team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, earning a spot on the All-World Baseball Classic Team.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1934: Tied Major League Rookie Record

In July 2012, Mike Trout's 34 runs scored tied the Major League rookie record with Cleveland Indians first baseman Hal Trosky in 1934.

1936: First Rookie Since Joe DiMaggio

In 2012, Mike Trout became the first rookie to drive in at least 55 runs and score 80 runs in 81 games since Joe DiMaggio in 1936.

January 7, 1961: Jeff Trout Born

On January 7, 1961, Jeff Trout, Mike Trout's father, was born.

Others born on this day/year

1964: Fourth Rookie to Score 120 or More Runs Since 1964

On September 21, 2012, Mike Trout became the fourth rookie to score 120 or more runs since 1964.

1972: Youngest Player to Hit 20 Home Runs and Steal 40 Bases

In 2012, Mike Trout became the youngest player ever to hit at least 20 home runs and steal at least 40 bases in a season, surpassing Houston Astros center fielder César Cedeño, who accomplished the feat in 1972.

1983: Drafted by Minnesota Twins

In 1983, Jeff Trout, Mike Trout's father, was drafted as a second baseman by the Minnesota Twins in the fifth round.

August 7, 1991: Michael Nelson Trout Born

On August 7, 1991, Michael Nelson Trout was born. He is now known as an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Others born on this day/year

2001: Most Games with Three or More Runs Scored

In 2012, Mike Trout scored three runs, marking the tenth time in the season he scored three or more runs in one game, the most since Sammy Sosa's 11 games in 2001.

2001: AL Rookie of the Month Four Times

In August 2012, Mike Trout became the first American League rookie since Ichiro Suzuki in 2001 to win Rookie of the Month four times during a single season.

2004: WAR Above 10.0

According to Baseball-Reference.com, in 2012, Mike Trout finished with a wins above replacement (WAR) value of 10.9. He was the first position player to have a WAR above 10.0 since Barry Bonds for the San Francisco Giants in 2004.

2005: Led League in Stolen Bases

In 2012, Mike Trout became the first Angels player to lead the league in stolen bases since Chone Figgins did so in 2005.

2007: Played in Perfect Game WWBA Championships

In 2007, Mike Trout played in various tournaments with Tri-State Arsenal, including the Perfect Game WWBA Championships in Jupiter, Florida.

2008: Played in Perfect Game WWBA Championships

In 2008, Mike Trout played in various tournaments with Tri-State Arsenal, including the Perfect Game WWBA Championships in Jupiter, Florida.

2008: Attended Phillies World Series Parade

In 2008, Mike Trout, who grew up a die-hard Philadelphia Phillies fan, attended their World Series parade.

2009: Graduation from Millville Senior High School

In 2009, Mike Trout graduated from Millville Senior High School.

2009: Started Professional Career

In 2009, Mike Trout started his professional career out of high school, playing for the Arizona Angels of the rookie-level Arizona League (AZL). He also finished the season playing for the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Class A Midwest League.

2009: MLB Draft

In 2009, Mike Trout was selected by the Angels in the first round of the MLB draft, marking the beginning of his professional baseball career.

2009: Pre-Draft Commitment to East Carolina University

Prior to the 2009 MLB Draft, Mike Trout had committed to play baseball at East Carolina University.

2010: Topps Minor League Player of the Year

After the 2010 season, Mike Trout received the Topps Minor League Player of the Year Award, becoming the youngest player to win the award. He was also named a Baseball America All-Star and a Topps Class A All-Star.

2010: Played for Cedar Rapids and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

In 2010, Mike Trout started the season playing for Cedar Rapids. He was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game and later promoted to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the Class A-Advanced California League.

July 8, 2011: MLB Debut

On July 8, 2011, the Los Angeles Angels promoted Mike Trout, to replace the injured Peter Bourjos in center field. He made his major league debut that night.

August 1, 2011: Sent Back to Double-A Arkansas

On August 1, 2011, Mike Trout was sent back to Double-A Arkansas after hitting .163 with one home run and six runs batted in 12 starts for the Angels.

August 19, 2011: Recalled by the Angels

After spending time back in Double-A Arkansas, Mike Trout was recalled by the Angels on August 19, 2011. That night, he went 1-for-4 with a home run, his first at Angel Stadium.

2011: Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year

For the 2011 season, Mike Trout was named Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .326/.414/.544 with 11 home runs, 38 RBIs, 82 runs scored, and 33 stolen bases in 91 games. He was also named an outfielder on Baseball America's 2011 Minor League All-Star team.

2011: Major League Appearance

In 2011, Mike Trout made a brief major league appearance before becoming a regular player for the Angels.

2011: Started Season with Arkansas Travelers

Mike Trout started the 2011 season with the Arkansas Travelers of the Class AA Texas League.

November 12, 2012: BBWAA Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award

On November 12, 2012, Mike Trout won the BBWAA Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award, receiving all first-place votes, becoming the first Angels player since Tim Salmon in 1993 to win it, and the youngest AL Rookie of the Year winner. He was the 18th unanimous winner.

2012: AL Rookie of the Year Award

In 2012, Mike Trout became a regular player for the Angels, winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award unanimously.

2012: MVP Runner-Up

In 2012, Mike Trout finished second in the voting for the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

2012: Led American League in Runs

In 2012, Mike Trout led the American League in runs.

2012: Angels Rookie Record

In 2012, Mike Trout scored his 100th run of the season, becoming the second Angels rookie to score at least 100 runs in a season after Devon White. Trout also set a new Angels record for runs scored in a rookie season, passing White.

2012: Jersey Number Awarded to Team Captain

In 2012, Millville initially planned to retire Mike Trout's jersey number but instead began awarding it to the team captain.

2012: Brought up from Minors

Mike Trout began the 2012 season with the Salt Lake Bees of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. On April 28, 2012, he was brought up from the minors to replace Bobby Abreu.

2013: MVP Runner-Up

In 2013, Mike Trout finished second in the voting for the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

2013: Led American League in Times on Base

In 2013, Mike Trout led the American League in times on base.

November 13, 2014: AL MVP Award

On November 13, 2014, Mike Trout was unanimously selected as the AL MVP, becoming the sixth player in MLB history to win both the regular-season MVP and the All-Star Game MVP in the same season. He was also the fifth-youngest MVP ever, the 17th unanimous winner, and the third in Angels' history after Vladimir Guerrero in 2004.

2014: AL MVP Award

In 2014, Mike Trout was awarded the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

April 17, 2015: Youngest to 100 Home Runs and 100 Stolen Bases

On April 17, 2015, Mike Trout became the youngest player in MLB history to reach 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases, achieving this milestone at 23 years and 253 days old, surpassing Alex Rodriguez's previous record from 1999.

2015: MVP Runner-Up

In 2015, Mike Trout finished second in the voting for the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

2015: Led American League in Times on Base

In 2015, Mike Trout led the American League in times on base.

June 2016: Named Baseball's Best Active Player

In June 2016, Sporting News named Mike Trout "baseball's best [active] player", recognizing his outstanding performance and contributions to the sport.

August 12, 2016: Accumulated Most WAR through Age-24 Season Since 1913

According to Fangraphs, on August 12, 2016, Mike Trout had accumulated more WAR through his age-24 season than any other player since 1913, with 45, surpassing Mickey Mantle, Mel Ott, Jimmie Foxx, and Ted Williams. Alex Rodriguez was seventh.

2016: Led American League in Runs

In 2016, Mike Trout led the American League in runs.

2016: 2016 AL MVP Award

In 2016, Mike Trout was announced as the AL MVP for the second time in his career. Trout joined Barry Bonds as the only other player in MLB history to finish top 2 for the MVP in five straight seasons. He also won the 2016 Esurance MLB/This Year in Baseball Award for Best Major Leaguer.

May 28, 2017: Sprained Left Thumb

On May 28, 2017, Mike Trout left the game after spraining his left thumb while batting .337 and leading the Angels with 16 home runs. This injury led to his first time on the disabled list in his major league career.

September 6, 2017: Franchise Record for Consecutive Games with a Walk

On September 6, 2017, Mike Trout drew a walk in his 14th consecutive game against the Oakland Athletics, surpassing Albie Pearson's franchise record of 13 set in 1961.

September 29, 2017: 200th Career Home Run

On September 29, 2017, Mike Trout hit his 200th career home run off of Marco Gonzales of the Seattle Mariners, becoming the seventh player in history to reach 200 or more home runs before the end of his age-25 season.

August 10, 2018: Disabled List due to Right Wrist Inflammation

On August 10, 2018, Mike Trout was placed on the disabled list due to right wrist inflammation, sidelining him from playing.

2018: MVP Runner-Up

In 2018, Mike Trout finished second in the voting for the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

2018: Led American League in Times on Base

In 2018, Mike Trout led the American League in times on base.

March 20, 2019: Trout signs record contract with Angels

On March 20, 2019, Mike Trout signed a 12-year, $426 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, which at the time was the richest contract in the history of North American sports.

October 24, 2019: Trout wins AL Hank Aaron Award and AL MVP

On October 24, 2019, Mike Trout won the AL Hank Aaron Award. Additionally, Trout was named the AL MVP for the third time in his career. With this win, Trout joined Albert Pujols as the only active MLB players to have three MVP awards.

2019: Third AL MVP Award

In 2019, Mike Trout secured his third American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

2019: Signed Contract with the Angels

In 2019, Mike Trout signed a 12-year, $426 million contract with the Angels, which was the third-richest contract in the history of North American sports at the time.

2019: Trout undergoes foot surgery, finishes season with career high

In 2019, Mike Trout underwent a cryoablation procedure on September 9 to address a neuroma in his right foot. On September 15, 2019, it was announced that he would undergo full-fledged surgery to remove the neuroma, ending his season. He finished the season with a career-high 45 home runs.

July 30, 2020: Trout's son born

Mike Trout's son was born on July 30, 2020.

August 23, 2020: Trout trading card sells for record price

On August 23, 2020, a Mike Trout trading card sold for $3.93 million at auction, breaking the record for the most expensive sale price for a sports card.

September 5, 2020: Trout hits 300th career home run

On September 5, 2020, Mike Trout hit his 300th career home run off of Brandon Bielak of the Houston Astros, breaking the Angels' all-time home run record held by Tim Salmon.

May 17, 2021: Trout strains calf during game

On May 17, 2021, during a game against the Cleveland Indians, Mike Trout appeared to strain his right calf while jogging the bases, leading to a placement on the 10-day injured list the following day.

March 13, 2022: Angels consider moving Trout out of center field

On March 13, 2022, Angels manager Joe Maddon considered moving Mike Trout out of center field to prevent injuries, but the plan was scrapped after Trout expressed his preference to stay in center field.

July 19, 2022: Trout to captain United States national baseball team

On July 19, 2022, Mike Trout announced that he would captain the United States national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

2022: Trout diagnosed with rare back disorder

In 2022, Mike Trout came out of a game on July 12 due to back spasms and went on the injured list. He was diagnosed with a rare back disorder called costovertebral dysfunction. Trout returned from the injured list on August 19.

April 15, 2023: Trout records his 300th career double

On April 15, 2023, Mike Trout hit his 300th career double in a game against the Red Sox. With this, Trout became the fourth player in Major League history to collect at least 300 career doubles, 300 career home runs, and 200 stolen bases by his age-31 season.

2023: World Baseball Classic Team

In 2023, Mike Trout captained the United States national team during the World Baseball Classic and was named to the All-World Baseball Classic Team.

April 9, 2024: Trout becomes fastest Angel to reach six home runs

On April 9, 2024, Mike Trout hit a home run in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays, becoming the fastest player in Angels franchise history to reach six home runs, doing so in eleven games.

Mentioned in this timeline

Patrick Mahomes is a highly accomplished American football quarterback for...

Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun...

The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team...

Sports Illustrated SI is an American sports magazine launched in...

Barack Obama the th U S President - was the...

Jackie Robinson was an American professional baseball player who broke...