There may not be a bigger tragedy in sports than when injury problems derail a superstar's career. Mike Trout appears to be headed for that fate. Trout, who has gone through a plethora of injury woes over the past three seasons, recently underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus, forcing him out of action for multiple months. This setback is the latest in a long line of frustrations that the Los Angeles Angels star simply couldn't seem to avoid.
Trout, at his peak, was approaching greatest baseball player of all time levels. But now, the Angels star is in grave danger of not being his best self ever again after going through the ringer in terms of injury problems. Another all-time baseball great whose prime was cut short due to injury, Ken Griffey Jr., might be the most familiar person in the world with what Trout might be feeling at the moment.
“I’ve been there, believe me. It’s a terrible feeling. You dream of being a Major League Baseball player, not spending your days going through rehab,” Griffey told Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Mike Trout missed 249 games from 2021 to 2023. The Angels star was eyeing 2024 as a bounce-back campaign, and yet his body wouldn't allow him to stay on the field. Now 32 years of age, Trout is more vulnerable to the suffocating hand of Father Time than ever. He may have to switch positions on the field upon his return, as Ken Griffey Jr. would know of the toll playing center field has on a person's body.
“Just look at some of greatest center fielders who played this game. They have only a 12- or 13-year shelf life. It’s just such a demanding position. … Your body just takes a beating playing center field. Everything hit to us is fair. … You’re constantly on the move, running, backing up plays,” Griffey added.
Is this the end of Mike Trout's days as one of the best players in the MLB?
From 2012 to 2020, whenever the question of who the best player in the MLB comes up, the easy answer was to point to the man who wore the number 27 jersey for the Angels. Mike Trout is the baseball player one comes up with when designing the best archetype of a ballplayer. Trout, at his peak, hit for power, contact, got on base often. He had burners on the basepaths as well, and to top it all off, he played center field, the most athletically-demanding position on the field.
The first eight years of Trout's career had him on the path of rare greatness. In fact, the three best years of Trout's career had him on the shortlist of the greatest players to ever grace the MLB field. But alas, all good things come to an end. In Trout's case, the end may be coming in such an abrupt manner.
In 2021, a calf injury limited him to just 36 games. In 2022, Trout dealt with a ton of injury problems to various body parts (groin, back, foot), forcing him to miss 43 games. And then last season, the Angels star played just 82 games after suffering a broken hand. His misfortune continues this year, and at this point, Trout may no longer get the chance to break records with his body not allowing him to.
“It’s not like he’s trying to get hurt. It just happens,” Griffey said.
Even when Trout was on the field, he hasn't exactly been his best self. He remains one of the most dangerous hitters in the league, make no mistake about it, but his contact skills are in the middle of a steep decline. The Angels star appears to be selling out for power, and as a result, his batting average (and on-base percentage) continue to fall. His defensive work is falling off as well, and he may not be long for center field.
Nonetheless, for Ken Griffey Jr., these injury problems don't change his perception of Mike Trout's greatness.
“You know what, I’m proud of what he’s done. He’s a good ballplayer. A good friend. Just a really good person. Injuries don’t change who he is,” Griffey said.
Ken Griffey Jr. fights back against the Angels star's critics
Ken Griffey Jr. was one of the best stars in the league as well in his heyday; however, from his age-31 season onward, he only amassed a total of 3.7 WAR, and that was across 10 seasons. Given how the human body functions, it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone if Mike Trout is unable to return to his peak.
However, Trout's huge contract will always create huge expectations. It will be interesting to see how the Angels navigate Trout's contract that pays him an average of $37.1 million until 2030.
Thus, there is a palpable air of frustration surrounding Mike Trout's latest injury. In fact, it got to the point where a few talking heads blasted the Angels star for his inability to stay healthy.
But for Griffey, who began to break down due to injury starting in his age-31 season back in 2001, he acknowledges the sacrifices Trout makes on a daily basis and he knows that if Trout had full control over what happens to his body, then he would not miss a single inning for his team.
“When you’re playing center field, you’re sacrificing your body every game. … It’s no different than with Mike. He gets hurt because he plays the game hard, he plays the game right,” Griffey added.
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