Shohei Ohtani is the Babe Ruth of the 21st century. The 2x unanimous MVP’s accomplishments are profound, just like his attitude and his goals. But when he is juxtaposed with the equally victory-hungry Mike Trout, their camaraderie translates into “the most fearsome top-of-the-order duos in baseball.” However, the twist in the tale lies in the fact that this dynamic duo couldn’t toast to any victories during their time with the LA Angels. Where does the buck stop?
While both of them are only three years apart age-wise, their presence on the field complements each other like nothing else. Unfortunately, though, the environment they spent their prime years in has not given them enough opportunity to unleash their World Series beastliness. Well, Ohtani has found a way out now, but where does that leave Trout?
Mike Trout – Once Upon a Time in Los Angeles
Though the two have proven time and again that they are otherworldly players, they have never tasted success together. ‘Troutani’ had been a part of the Los Angeles Angels for 5 seasons. Yet, not once did they have a post-season success. The Angels’ sad-sack performance affected their optics, implying that they did not provide a winning environment for the prowess that two of their key players had. That said, let’s first talk about the 32-year-old, New Jersey-𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧.
2023 was marred by injuries for Mike Trout, which ended his run prematurely. While he could be the one trying to genuinely help the Halos, even his manager shared his dejection when Trout could play only 82 games. Do note, he had not played in at least 140 games since 2018. Phil Nevin said, “I know it’s disappointing for him. I’m frustrated for him, not at him. Everyone wants to see Mike Trout play. And nobody more than us. He helps us. He’s one of the greatest players in the game”.
Trout was quick to establish himself in MLB winning the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2012. He then went on to win the All-Star 11 times and the AL MVP award three times (2014,16, and 19). At a time in his career, as early as 2012, he became a part of the elite 30 – 30 club, etching his name alongside legends like Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and more. There are more laurels to this list, obviously. But here’s the thing. If these individual achievements, especially with Ohtani around, went without channeling into success, who is to blame, if not the Halos?
Shohei Ohtani -In days of yore in Los Angeles
Well, the two-way phenom spent a solid 6 years in Southern California. Not much came out of it for him except that he painted an amazing picture of his pitching and hitting prowess on the canvas of Los Angeles. 2021 was the breakthrough season when MLB folks were convinced that nothing could top this. But lo-and-behold, Ohtani gave himself the toughest competition and delivered yet another season, 2022 (9.6 bWAR), topping his previous year’s performance. Wait! It’s not over yet.
Just when one knew nothing could top THAT, Shotime delivered 2023, which by far stands as his best season so far. Not to mention, he did what he did in just 135 games, which a premature conclusion to the season. Isn’t it quite rare to see one breaking ones own record?
Though affected greatly by his elbow injury, he will only be hitting and not pitching in the upcoming season. Well, that does not leave him at a disadvantage since he has smashed the records with his hitting quite comfortably. In his brief 2023, the Angels’ DH recorded a .304/.412/.654/ slash line with an AL-leading 44 home runs. He also had an MLB-leading 325 total bases. As far as OPS is concerned, Ohtani’s 184 meant that his park-adjusted OPS was 84% better than the average of the league.
While pitching may be out of question in 2024, he is, after all, an ‘Ace’. And that remains the truth, which will reveal itself when he starts pitching again with the Dodgers that signed him for 10 years and a $700 million.
Is Anaheim Drowning in a Pool of Regrets?
The Angels have found themselves in a strange fix now, floating in the floods of ‘what ifs’. While there is no use crying over spilled milk, one can’t help but notice that the organization bears a fair amount of blame. Be it bad signings, failure to develop prospects or to add elite talent, all of which kept the franchise under .500 in every season in spite of Ohtani. But even if one was to overlook these aspects and missteps (read inaction), it’s unforgivable that the Halos were on their couches during postseason rather than on the diamond.
It hurts more when one realizes that Arturo Moreno’s team had not just one but two generational talents on the roster, for 5 seasons. One can also not emphasize enough what a successful marketing for the sport it would have been to see the two super powers accomplishing Herculean tasks together as partners. Instead, sadly though, the last time the baseball world saw both of them in the same meaningful game was during the World Baseball Classic’s last at-bat of 2023.
