Albert Pujols and Mike Trout performed collectively for a decade, from 2012 to 2021.
Pujols was beginning to decline when he joined the Los Angeles Angels, and Trout was, on the contrary, blossoming into one of many sport’s high stars.
No matter their profession trajectories, they each know one another, labored with one another, and admired one another.
They grew to become associates through the years, and a relationship of mutual admiration began.
Now that Pujols – probably the greatest right-handed hitters within the historical past of the sport – is retired, he will get to see Trout’s greatness from one other angle.
Trout has needed to battle accidents in current seasons, and had his worst efficiency as a professional final yr with a .858 OPS (sure, that was his worst model).
This time, nonetheless, he’s absolutely wholesome and exhibiting how dominant he might be if he’s absolutely wholesome.
Pujols shouldn’t be stunned as a result of he has seen from up shut how nice his former teammate might be.
Trout is having a efficiency for the ages.
He’s slashing, as of Thursday afternoon, a cool .282/.363/.690 with eight residence runs, 11 RBI, and a 1.053 OPS.
The Angels have achieved a poor job getting folks on base in entrance of Trout, which is why he solely has 11 RBI regardless of a powerful eight dingers.
One factor is evident, although: he’s again to his greatest model, and meaning dangerous information for the remainder of the MVP candidates within the American League.