Mike Trout ready to get back to playing baseball after Angels' offseason from hell
TEMPE, Ariz. — There was the depressing drug trial that sent former Los Angeles Angels communications director Eric Kay to prison for at least 20 years, convicted of providing fentanyl-laced pills that led to the death of former pitcher Tyler Skaggs.
Five former Angels players, including former All-Star Matt Harvey, testified during the trial that they also used opioids while on the teams.
Former Angels clubhouse manager Bubba Harkins was in court filing a defamation complaint against his former club after being fired as the scapegoat for providing illegal foreign substances to pitchers.
After all the Angels endured all winter, man, was Mike Trout ever a welcome sight Monday on the first day of the Angels’ spring training workouts.
“The winter was tough, real tough,’’ said Trout, speaking softly Monday in front of his locker after a brief press conference. “It was sad. There’s a lot of stuff obviously that’s still sad. A lot of families are going through stuff. I don’t wish that on anybody. …
“I didn’t know any of that stuff was going on. I didn’t see anything.’’
Trout, the three-time MVP and nine-time All-Star, entering his 11th year in the organization, is needed now more than ever to help restore the Angels’ image.
“He’s the bright spot of this organization,’’ Angels veteran outfielder Justin Upton says. “We need him. Really, baseball needs him.’’
It has been 10 months since Trout last played a game, sidelined with a strained right calf, but finally he says, he feels healthy, and really, better than he has in years.
“Great offseason, great workouts, no setbacks,’’ he said, “nothing.’’
He’s 30 years old now, and the Angels have talked about moving him out of center field to left field, but he made it quite clear he’s not ready to switch positions. Maybe one day, but certainly not now.
While manager Joe Maddon told reporters Sunday they were considering moving Trout, and discussed it for the first time with Trout on Monday morning, Trout let the Angels explicitly know he still wants to be the everyday centerfielder. He can’t write out the lineup, but he’s willing to do anything he can to improve defensively.
“I just feel comfortable and natural,’’ Trout says of center field. “You know, I basically said [to Maddon], 'Tell me what I need to work on. And I'll get better at it.' ’’
Maddon’s response Monday?
Trout will be their everyday center fielder until further notice.
“He feels very strong,’’ Maddon said. “He feels like he’s in great shape. He lost weight. Everything’s in order.
“He can play center field. …
“And that’s that.’’
There will be more discussions as time goes on about a position switch, but all that Trout cares about now is that he’s back, feeling better than ever, and it sure would be nice playing every day alongside MVP Shohei Ohtani.
It was just a week ago when Trout was sending out a message on social media, scolding MLB for the lockout while showing solidarity with the players, and now he’s back out in the sunshine on the first day of the Angels’ spring training camp.
“I’m not real big on social media,’’ Trout said. “It just came to a point where I thought it was time to say something. We were ready to play. People were getting antsy. I think a lot of guys appreciated it.’’
Now, saying his goal each and every day is to be the best player on the field, he wants to take the organization to a place where they have not gone since 2014 – the postseason.
Yeah, and maybe there is a little motivation reminding folks that he’s still one of the greatest players in the game, who one day will be enshrined in Cooperstown.
“Nobody wants to be out there every day more than him,’’ Upton said. “It was tough on him. It really wore on him. You can tell it was just eating him up.
“It’s so great to see him back because we know what he means to this entire organization.’’
Besides, if 45-year-old quarterback Tom Brady can come back after a 39-day retirement, Trot can certainly return after a 10-month layoff.
“You knew he was coming back,’’ Trout said. “Everybody knew it. I mean, he’s the GOAT. Everybody should enjoy it. Obviously, there are some Brady haters, but how can you hate the guy? He’s still doing it at a high level, an extremely high level, and I love watching him.
“You got to take advantage of this and see greatness perform.’’
Yep, just like a certain center fielder for the Angels.
Sit back, and enjoy the greatness.
Follow Bob Nightengale on Twitter: @Bnightengale
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Trout eager to get back on field after Angels' hellish offseason
