For Philly-area native Trout, a 12th ASG selection would be a homecoming

Read our story on the balloting format, which includes two phases of fan voting to determine the All-Star starters.

ANAHEIM -- For Angels superstar Mike Trout, a return to the All-Star Game would be extra special this year with the Midsummer Classic being held not far from his hometown in Philadelphia on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park.

Trout, who grew up an avid Philadelphia sports fan in Millville, N.J., is aiming to be named an All-Star for the 12th time in his career with Phase 1 of balloting officially beginning on Wednesday. Trout, a three-time AL MVP, leads all active players in All-Star selections but hasn’t been selected since 2023 and hasn’t played in one since ’19.

“It would mean a lot to go there,” Trout said. “Besides people asking me for tickets [laughs]. But we'll deal with that if that happens. But it's always cool to go back there. And Philly fans are always great.”

Trout, 34, has had a resurgent year, as he entered Wednesday slashing .243/.411/.486 with 14 homers, 10 doubles, five stolen bases and 31 RBIs in 61 games. He’s played in all but one of the Angels’ games this season, which is significant after dealing with injuries in each of the last five seasons. Trout is also tied for fifth among American League batters in fWAR (and first among outfielders) at 2.4.

“It's been great,” Trout said. “The routine's been good. There have been some little things nagging here and there, that's just how it is with baseball. But [it's good] being able to go out there and perform and just have fun. It was tough for me the last few years, not playing in as many games.”

Trout, the All-Star Game MVP in both 2014 and ’15, missed the 2021, '22 and '23 editions due to injuries. He was out in ’21 with a calf strain, in ’22 with back spasms and in ’23 with a hamate fracture. He went 0-for-2 in his last All-Star Game in Cleveland in ’19 but is a career 7-for-17 hitter with two homers, two doubles, a triple and four RBIs in seven Midsummer Classics.

“I always really enjoy it,” Trout said. “And to go get that fan experience, especially now I have kids. They really enjoy coming to the ballpark and MLB does a really good job with the festivities for the family. So it's definitely something I'm looking forward to if I get selected.”

Angels manager Kurt Suzuki, who was teammates with Trout in ’21 and ’22, said he believes Trout has been an All-Star-caliber player again this season and it would be fitting for him to be one in Philadelphia.

“It's meant to be, right?” Suzuki said. “I think it'd be awesome for him, awesome for his family. Guy deserves it. He's been awesome. He's been awesome in the clubhouse. He's been awesome with the younger guys. He’s been awesome for the team. So I'm happy for Mike.”

Trout also credited his return to center field for his bounce-back season, as last year he was relegated to designated hitter duty after sustaining a bone bruise in his surgically repaired left knee in late April. He also was moved to right field last year but is back in center this season, which has added to his comfort level.

“It's a huge relief just to be out there,” Trout said. “It's where I was since I was a kid growing up. So, just being out there and working hard every day. Just over with [outfield instructor Adam] Eaton, we're out there working hard every day, doing early work. Just trying to improve as much as I can. One thing has been the jumps, and the last week and a half the jumps have been good. So, just trying to really pinpoint things defensively because as much as I like hitting, I enjoy playing the outfield.”