Mike Trout's sublime talent defined his first decade in baseball. Injuries are the story now
Mike Trout still might be the greatest baseball player produced by his generation, but the torn meniscus in his left knee is his fourth major injury in the past four seasons
By Greg Beacham
Published - May 01, 2024, 10:38 AM ET
Last Updated - May 27, 2024, 01:04 AM EDT
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout never had a significant injury in his charmed baseball career until May 2017, when he tore a thumb ligament sliding headfirst into second base.
On his first day back from a 39-game absence, the superstar slugger stole second — and he slid headfirst again.
“I'm not changing the way I play,” a grinning Trout said that night in the Los Angeles Angels' clubhouse, a singular young athlete confident in his exceptionalism.
Less than seven years later in the hallway outside that same Anaheim clubhouse, Trout repeatedly fought back tears Tuesday while he publicly processed his fourth major injury in the past four seasons.
