Fishy business: Angels get out the All-Star vote for Trout

1:21 AM UTC

SEATTLE -- While fans are doing everything in their power to send to the 2026 All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, so is the team.

Nearly the entire Angels roster -- and coaches -- donned “Vote Trout” white T-shirts during batting practice Monday at T-Mobile Park ahead of their three-game set against the Mariners.

The shirt -- created by the Angels’ social media team -- featured a red, white and blue trout jumping out of the water while wearing a colonial hat. Around the trout were 11 stars, representing the All-Star Games he’s been part of.

The colonial hat is a nod to the city of Philadelphia, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and heart of the Revolutionary War.

His bid for his 12th, however, is even more special. His hometown of Millville, N.J., is roughly 45 miles from Philadelphia.

“It’s pretty cool. One of my things when I was coming into Spring Training, I knew the game was going to be in Philly, so it would be cool to go back,” Trout said. “I love my teammates and I take care of them and they take care of me. We have a tight group, and it’s pretty cool to see that.”

Trout landed on the injured list June 18 with a right hamstring strain. Before the injury, he was slashing .234/.394/.472 for an .866 OPS, with 17 home runs and 36 RBIs.

He was named a finalist in the All-Star balloting update release on Thursday after being the second-leading vote-getter among AL outfielders. Trout was the only position player for the Angels to advance.

Trout, a three-time AL MVP, also said he had been considering competing in the Home Run Derby for the first time, because of its location, but that it’s unlikely now because of his injury, even if he’s healthy enough to play in the game.

“I'm leaning toward not doing it,” Trout said last Friday. “Obviously, it’d be cool to do it, but I probably won't do it. I was thinking about it, but then I hurt my leg. So that's what kind of threw it off there.”

Trout hopes to get healthy in time for the Midsummer Classic. He made the trip to Seattle and has continued with light workouts and begun swinging in the cages last weekend. He said Friday that he was jogging without pain.

“Obviously Mike doesn’t need the extra notoriety and support. Obviously. He’s Mike Trout,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “Just having the organization behind you and helping to promote like Mike to get to the All-Star Game is definitely a great thing.”

Phase 2 of All-Star voting will end on July 2.