Trout's father figures in baseball development

The baseball world is captivated by what Mike Trout does on a baseball field at such a young age. But those who know him best are just as impressed by how the 22-year-old superstar conducts himself off the field.

For that, Trout credits his upbringing -- particularly his baseball-playing dad.

"Our first rule of the house was be a good person, No. 1, and No. 2, be a good person," said Jeff Trout, who spent four years in the Twins' Minor League system before retiring to raise a family in Millville, N.J. "Everything else would take care of itself if you do that."

Trout, the youngest of three, starred at Millville High School before being selected by the Angels in the first round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. And during that time, his father was right by his side -- as an assistant baseball coach and a history teacher.

"It was pretty cool having him there, just to keep me under control," the Angels outfielder said. "I knew if anything happened or I got in trouble, it would go right to him and he would come down there and yell at me. Every little tip he would give me, I would take it in and try to learn something new every day."

Trout has accomplished things few -- if any -- ever have at his age, leading the Majors in Wins Above Replacement in back-to-back seasons and winning the American League's Rookie of the Year Award unanimously in 2012.

Off the field, though, he's a lot more unassuming. He doesn't pimp home runs. He doesn't trash talk. And he doesn't seek attention.

Trying to interview Trout for a story?

"What do you got?" he'll always say while sitting by his locker.

Seeking an autograph pregame?

"Meet me down the third-base line after batting practice," he'll usually tell fans as he makes his way to the dugout.

It's the way he was brought up.

"When I have kids and when they grow up, I'm definitely going to teach them what my dad taught me -- just be a great person, be respectful and learn new things every day," Trout said. "I love him to death."