On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Angels were swept by the New York Mets, marking their second series sweep in July and continuing a difficult stretch in which they have lost four of their last five games. Currently, the Angels are five games behind the Boston Red Sox for the third position in the American League Wild Card race. Nonetheless, amid these challenges, outfielder Mike Trout made MLB history by hitting the 198th road home run of his career, surpassing Mark McGwire’s previous mark.
Trout’s Recent Performance and Historical Achievement
Although the Angels have been struggling, Mike Trout has shown improvement recently at the plate, batting .271 with five home runs and 14 RBIs over his last 11 games. The New Jersey native’s consistency is noteworthy, especially considering his injury issues in recent years that have impacted his performance. His latest milestone on Wednesday has placed him ninth on the all-time list of most career road home runs by an American League player aged 33 or younger, edging past McGwire, who had 197 road homers.
Standing Among Baseball Greats in Road Home Runs
The list of top American League players with the most career home runs on the road by age 33 or younger is dominated by legends such as Alex Rodriguez with 277, Babe Ruth with 250, and Mickey Mantle with 238. Mike Trout’s 198 places him ahead of notable names like Lou Gehrig (221) and Manny Ramirez (218), though he remains 20 home runs shy of Ramirez. Given that Trout’s 34th birthday is approaching in about two weeks, it is unlikely he will surpass Ramirez’s total, but his place among the greats is firmly established.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Hopes and Future Prospects
While breaking records is a remarkable accomplishment for Mike Trout, his primary focus likely remains on helping the Angels reach the playoffs. There is still ample time left in the season for Los Angeles to turn things around, but consistent improvement is necessary if they want to climb back into contention. Trout’s continued presence and production at the plate will be vital for the team’s second-half success and their postseason ambitions.
“Most career home runs hit on the road – American League player by the age of 33 or younger:277- Alex Rodriguez 250- Babe Ruth 238- Mickey Mantle 233- Juan Gonzalez 230- Harmon Killebrew 228- Jimmie Foxx 221- Lou Gehrig 218- Manny Ramirez 198- @Angels Mike Trout 197- Mark McGwire” —StatsCentre
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What was Mike Trout diagnosed with?
A. On May 28, 2017, Trout exited the game due to a sprained left thumb. He was hitting .337 and had hit 16 home runs for the Angels. Two days later, an MRI showed he had torn the ulnar collateral ligament. This caused him to be placed on the disabled list for the first time in his major league career.
Q. Will Mike Trout play in 2025?
A. Mike Trout, the star outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels, is prepared for the 2025 MLB season. He has won the American League Most Valuable Player award three times. Despite missing almost 400 games over the last four seasons because of injuries, he’s determined to show he can still play exceptionally well.
Q. What disability does Mike Trout have?
A. In 2022, Trout experienced back inflammation, which doctors called “costovertebral dysfunction.” This essentially means he had a sore back. His back problems started in early July, leading him to be placed on the injured list on July 15. At the time, Trout’s performance was strong.
Q. Why is Mike Trout considered so good?
A. Trout’s skills on the field have been applauded by both traditional journalists and baseball statisticians. In his first five full seasons, he topped the American League in wins above replacement (WAR). Currently, Trout holds the highest active WAR with 86.2.