Mike Trout crushes homers 200 and 201, joins elite company
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout reached another milestone on Friday, launching career home runs No. 200 and 201 in a 6-5 win against the Seattle Mariners.
The now 26-year-old slugger connected for a solo blast against Mariners left-hander Marco Gonzales in the first inning. He then led off the eighth with another home run against reliever Nick Vincent. Then fueled a four-run Angels rally that turned the game around.
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We mentioned Trout’s age, because that is pretty significant to his place in history. Though he turned 26 on Aug. 7, this is considered Trout’s age-25 season. By reaching 200 career homers during this season, he’s joined two very exclusive lists that are basically reserved for Hall of Fame level talents.
The list of players to reach 200 career homers before the end of their age-25 season is eight deep now thanks to Trout. Among the others are Mickey Mantle, Frank Robinson, Alex Rodriguez, and Angels teammate Albert Pujols.
200 HR through age 25 season:
Alex Rodriguez
Jimmie Foxx
Eddie Mathews
Mel Ott
Mickey Mantle
Frank Robinson
Albert Pujols
Mike Trout— Jeremy Frank (@MLBRandomStats) September 30, 2017
Every single player on that list finished with at least 511 career home runs. Pujols is at 614 and counting.
When you add in Trout’s 200 career doubles, the list becomes even more exclusive.
Every player with 200+ homers and 200+ doubles through age 25:
Mike Trout
Albert Pujols
Alex Rodriguez
Mel Ott— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) September 30, 2017
Trout’s counting stats are going to be astronomical before he’s done. Of course, he does a lot of other things really well too, like stealing bases and robbing home runs. That’s why he’s already been selected to six All-Star teams, won Rookie of the Year and won two MVPs, not to mention three runner up finishes in the MVP that he should have won.
Despite missing six weeks earlier with a torn thumb ligament, Trout is up to 33 home runs. Without that missed time, he likely would have reached 40 homers for the second time in his career. Trout also leads the American League in both on-base percentage (.444) and slugging percentage (.622). And get this, he’s reached base safely in 102 of 112 games.
There’s not another player like him. And when we say the players on the lists above are Hall of Fame caliber, we’re not hesitant to include Trout among them.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
