Talkin’ Baseball and Nutrition With Angels Star Mike Trout

Mike Trout Dishes on All Things Baseball and the Pressure That Comes With It

As a two-time American League MVP who just signed a record-breaking 12-year, $426 million MLB contract and happens to be recognized as “the best baseball player in the world,” you would think that an athlete like Mike Trout would be full of nerves, arrogance or conceit – maybe all three – but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Down to earth, hard-working, and humble, the 27-year-old Trout takes his hard-earned accolades in stride, devoting his time and energy to what truly matters in the world of baseball: Playing the game and supporting your team.

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When compared to one of the most legendary baseball players of all time, Mickey Mantle, Trout told AskMen, “It’s always humbling to just be in the same conversation as Mickey. He was one of the best players of all time, so just being in the same conversation, the same sentence and being compared to him – it’s surreal, it’s amazing.”

To get a better idea of how Trout handles the pressure of such comparisons and stays in top form on and off the baseball diamond, we caught up with the Los Angeles Angels’ center fielder to talk all things baseball, his partnership with BODYARMOR, and his decision to stay in L.A for the long-term when he could have played pretty much anywhere he wanted come free agency.

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While the decision to stay in L.A. until 2030 was not one that Trout came to lightly, after much deliberation he knew it was the right path for him.

“There were a lot of things running through my head,” the seven-time All-Star says. “It’s a big life-changing decision. So [my wife and I] sat down and talked with each other, weighed out the pros and the cons, and we just knew that we were going to make the right decision.”

For many athletes, a big contract like Trout’s – and all the expectations that come with it – would be enough to make them lose their edge. Nevertheless, Trout seems to have a steady hold on things, putting his primary focus on game performance – just as he’s always done.

“There’s going to be a target on your back because you sign a big contract like that, but [the pressure] is usually off the field,” he says. “When I’m on the field, I go out there and play. I enjoy playing. I have fun playing. Once the first pitch goes, I don’t think about any of that stuff. It’s brought up off the field because people are talking to you about it, but I don’t put any pressure on myself."

“I prepare myself each and every day to go out there and perform. Whatever happens on the field happens, but I think when you put pressure on yourself, that’s when you choke.”

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A big part of Trout’s gameday prep involves staying in tip-top shape. While he works on building strength with heavier weights in the offseason, during the season he bases his workouts on his trainer’s recommendations and avoids doing anything that will leave him too tense and sore.

“I’m not in there with extremely heavy weights trying to get sore,” he says. “You just want to maintain the strength that you obviously gained during the offseason. It’s tough because you’re constantly getting worn down, and you’ve got to stay on top of your body. I think that [maintenance] is the biggest thing for me."

“There are freak accidents, but obviously not being out on the field is huge for the team. You want to be out there with them.”

Hydration, too, plays a critical role in Trout’s physical maintenance.

“You can do as much stuff as you want, but if you’re not hydrated your body isn't going to be in good form,” the former Rookie of the Year says. “And you can tell, you can feel when you’re dehydrated, your body’s a little sluggish and you get tired more quickly.”

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This dedication to staying hydrated is ultimately what led to Trout’s partnership with sports drink BODYARMOR. He credits the drink for not only quenching thirst in the middle of games, but also doing it quickly.

The partnership has brought him some pretty fun experiences, too. Recently, Trout stepped out of his comfort zone and onto the dance floor alongside NFL star Andrew Luck in a campaign video. The director? Some guy named Kobe Bryant. You may have heard of him.

“People see us compete on the field and in sports, but they haven’t seen us compete on the dance floor,” Trout shares. “It was a fun ad and I enjoyed everything about it. It was a little out of my comfort zone, but once I got on the dance floor and started doing some moves it was quite fun.”

This BODYARMOR campaign isn’t Trout’s only appearance outside of the stadium. The slugger has also been quick to embrace his public platform on social media, seeing his Twitter and Instagram accounts as a way to connect with fans and start a conversation.

“I think a lot of people look up to me as a role model, and being able to interact with my fans on social media, it means a lot to me,” the New Jersey native says. “Obviously, when you need to get something out there to everybody, you can’t individually just go up to everyone. I think it’s great.”

While being approached in public is a little more intrusive than chatting on social media, Trout doesn’t let his recognizability hinder him from getting out and living his life.

“I still want to be that kid that can go to dinner, go to the movies,” he says. “I don’t want to take that away from who I was. I still want to keep it the same. It’s a little different now, you go out to dinner, you get recognized, people want pictures or autographs, etc. But once baseball is off or you have an off day, you want to be able to go and enjoy things, spend time with your family."

“You need that time sometimes to be able to get your mind off baseball and enjoy everyday life.”

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All this being said, it might seem like Trout’s been dealt a lucky hand. But he, too, believe it or not, has dealt with rejection and he encourages other young athletes to stick to their goals.

“Even if somebody tells you, ‘You can’t do it,’ if you have the right mindset you can,” Trout says. “I had 20 or 24 other teams pass up on me, a lot of people doubted me, but I know my ability. You have to trust yourself.”

Trout’s dedication and faith in his ability have certainly paid off. He anticipates great things for the Angels this season, and many seasons to come.

“We’re excited,” the generational talent says. “We’ve got a young core coming up and it’s exciting for the future."

The Angels have played relatively well this season, but they’ll have to perform spectacularly to make the postseason. Let’s just hope that Trout doesn’t have to face Nationals ace Max Scherzer.

“Toughest pitcher I’ve ever faced,” Trout says of the three-time Cy Young Award winner. “I’m happy he’s on the Nationals now, so I don’t have to face him that much.”

Something tells us if Trout resided in the National League East and had to face Scherzer regularly, he’d be just fine. In fact, he’d likely thrive, as he always seems to.

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