Trout reaches milestone with game No. 500

ARLINGTON -- Center fielder Mike Trout was told early Monday afternoon that later in the day he'd be playing his 500th career game in the Major Leagues, and for one of the few times in his young life, he was caught off guard.

"Is it really 500?" Trout said. "How 'bout that."

It came quick.

Trout got here, during the series opener against the Rangers, at 23 years and 249 days old. He's a three-time All-Star, has won the American League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Awards unanimously, and has put himself in some historic company.

The latest: Trout is one of five players since 1914 to score at least 375 runs and hit at least 95 homers in his first 500 games, joining Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Chuck Klein and Albert Pujols.

"That is pretty good company," he said. "I just go out there and try to play the game; I don't try to think about numbers too much. But when you're in the company with such great guys, it definitely feels special. Especially with Albert, my teammate. That's pretty cool."

Trout entered Monday's game with 99 homers, 376 runs and 102 stolen bases. None of the aforementioned players even came close to 100 steals within their first 500 games, a testament to the dynamic skills that have made Trout so unique. Through a player's first 500 games in Angels history, Trout ranks first in runs, second in hits (580), second in doubles (112), third in homers, third in RBIs (310) and fourth in triples (26).

"It's definitely gone quick," said Trout, who has posted a .306/.396/.550 slash line in the process. "You get so excited, and have so much fun doing it, time flies."