Mike Trout hit his 20th home run of the season on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, delivering a three-run shot in the bottom of the third inning that tied the game. This homer brought the three-time MVP remarkably close to the career milestone of 400 home runs, putting him just two away from the mark. Trout’s wife, Jessica, highlighted this achievement by sharing a graphic that confirmed he is nearing this rare feat.

Trout’s 398th home run was particularly notable as it marked his 200th homer at Angel Stadium. With this accomplishment, he became the first player in history to record both 200 home runs and 100 stolen bases in the same ballpark. Earlier this month, on July 27, Trout hit a two-run home run, pushing his runs batted in (RBI) total to 1,000, making him only the third Angels player to reach that number, joining Garret Anderson and Tim Salmon. Additionally, his 397th career homer moved him past Joe Carter on the all-time home run list.

Reflection on Reaching the 400 Home Run Threshold

Although Trout’s recent home run was a standout moment, it was not enough to secure a victory, as the Rays took the lead with a solo homer by Christopher Morel in the seventh inning, ultimately winning 5-4. The latest homer places Trout close to becoming only the second active player to reach 400 career home runs. Currently, only New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton has surpassed this milestone among active players, with 439 career home runs.

Following the game, Trout shared his thoughts about being so close to reaching the milestone.

“I’ve definitely been thinking about it,” Trout said. “But the biggest thing for me is if I can trust the work in the cage and translate [that work to] the game. And then 400 will come.” —Mike Trout

He also highlighted how his recent batting practice has been effective and that he is working to align that with his in-game performance.

“My last few at-bats felt better,” Trout said. “Just pulling off balls. My work in the cage has been great, just trying to translate it into the game. I’m just getting stuck on the backside and flying open. So it’s just about trusting my work.” —Mike Trout

Significance of the Historic Achievement Ahead

Mike Trout nearing 400 home runs places him among baseball’s elite, emphasizing his sustained excellence throughout his career. Achieving this milestone would further cement his legacy with the Angels and in Major League Baseball. With his current trajectory and confidence in his preparation, it seems likely Trout could reach 400 home runs before the end of the month, further adding to his impressive resume in the sport.