Philadelphia – Mike Trout arrived in Philadelphia in time to meet the unveiling of the deepest new goal of the stadium – the 2026 All-Star logo with a Liberty Bell at the Design Center.
The Angels have some goals in Philadelphia.
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As a home run target? No, the oversized symbols celebrating next year’s All-Star game go far beyond the midfield walls and can’t even reach Schwarbombs in Ashburn Alley, closer to retirement numbers on bricks at Citizens Bank Park.
As a potential destination for next season? The game that made the All-Star Game is more about the Trout's nose, an 11-time pick that hasn't been selected for the American League since 2023.
However, every time the Trout plays in Philadelphia, just 40 miles from Slugger’s New Jersey hometown, the conversation tends to stand out from the All-Star game, his injury, upcoming career milestones — he will close on 400 home runs and 1,000 RBIS — or land in the playoffs and playoffs, his possibilities fit his possibilities.
“I’ve heard it all the time,” Trout said with a smile on Friday at the Angels Club’s clubhouse. “Now, I'm having a lot of fun with this team here. These guys come to the court every day and work hard. It's hard for me to see it because I keep seeing it and hearing it all the time.”
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He will at least solve the crack in the 2026 All-Star Game.
“It definitely means a lot,” Trout said.
The Trout entered the start of a three-game series against the Phillies, the kind of season he had most of his last five seasons in California. When he is healthy, he continues. Since he emerged from the injured roster on May 30, he has averaged .283 batting average, .433 base rate, eight home runs and 23 RBIs, earning a .478 hit rate in 41 games. This season, bruising his left knee bones hurt him.
Trout is the designated hitter against NL East champion Phillies Friday night, and he certainly can use right-handed bats in outfield games as they make it to the playoffs themselves. He did some pre-game work on the outfield (“get my feet under my feet”) and hoped he would go back to the right territory in the near future. Trout said his knees did feel “much better” after four days off, at the All-Star Game.
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“I'm so happy to be on the roster and contribute,” he said. “A few years later, it's just coming to the court, at least not hitting. It's frustrating, it's tough.”
He once again expects a group of fans in his hometown of Millville, New Jersey to take root at any time as the three-time AL MVP started the game with 395 career home runs and 995 career RBI.
“Think about it, that's how fast it is progressing,” Trout said. “Just want to enjoy every minute of it. The milestones are great. I look forward to hoping to get them.”
If it weren't for his injury that left him with more than 82 games once since 2019, the trout would have been blown away by the numbers on those numbers.
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“Things happened,” he said.
There is no guarantee that he will chip on these numbers over the weekend – Trout has never been deep in Citizen Bank Park.
The New Jersey native has been in touch with the area as he flourishes as a great liar in baseball. His family still lives in the area, he works with Tiger Woods on the new golf course, and yes, the Hawks season ticket holders are still bleeding Kelly Green.
The Angels entered Friday 47-49, but only four games on the Universal Card. The Trout competed in three professional playoff games in 2014. Los Angeles' 47 wins were the team's most wins at the All-Star break.
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“The team is there now and we have a good mindset,” he said. “We have a great team there. We've passed the baton on the plate. We're having a tough time.”
Nothing is harder than trout. He is trying to be the 20th player in baseball history, hitting his first 400 home runs with a franchise.
“This guy is a superstar,” said Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson. “I saw him when he first showed up and he hit your imagination. He ran along the first baseline and sounded like a horse, just big and strong, fast and fast.”