When looking at this generation’s crop of superstars within the MLB, it’s clear as day that Mike Trout is a headliner. It really is a shame that lackluster rosters and numerous injuries have stopped him from seriously having any shot at postseason success but he’s never lost faith in the Los Angeles Angels franchise.
Trout was a star since a young age and I don’t just mean dating back to his minor league days where he won the Player of the Year award in 2011 before going on to dominate in the big league. Let’s take a trip back in history to when he was just 12-years-old and seemingly already knew he would go down as a legend.
#️⃣9️⃣ for 2️⃣7️⃣
Congratulations to Mike Trout on receiving his ninth Silver Slugger Award! pic.twitter.com/7TNBJGpHoL
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) April 23, 2023
Taking part in a little league, Trout put on an excellent performance despite just being in middle school and decided to sign the very baseball he connected on a home run with.
His uncle has been in possession of that ball that captured an early moment in an icon’s career and has since partnered with Robert Edward Auctions to make over $15,000 off of it.
Mike Trout-signed Little League ball sold for $15,000 https://t.co/76aqALIOBZ
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) April 25, 2023
“On Sunday, a Little League baseball hit and signed by a 12-year-old in a game 19 years ago in New Jersey sold for $15,600 with Robert Edward Auctions. That 12-year-old was Mike Trout. In 2004, Trout slugged a four-bagger and subsequently signed the ball, which has been held by its original owner for the past two decades: Trout’s uncle.”
(Via ESPN)
It is truly remarkable to think that such a piece of history has been held onto for such a long period of time. Most middle-schoolers can only dream of making it to the MLB, let alone becoming one of the top players to ever lace up their cleats for a franchise.
Trout obviously could not have accomplished any of his feats without the nonstop support of his family so it’s nice seeing his uncle get the profits.