One of the greatest athletes of the modern times is celebrating his 27th birthday today, as No. 27 Mike Trout turns his number. The Angels superstar is already a seven-time All-Star, a five-time Silver Slugger, a two-time American League MVP, and the 2012 American League Rookie of the Year, with countless memorable moments along the way—and with many more to come. To honor this birthday of the game’s best player, here are 27 facts about Mike Trout.
No. 1: On July 7, 2011, Trout made his major-league debut at 19 years old.
No. 2: A few weeks later, he crushed the first of his 230 career home runs.
No. 3: Trout appeared in 40 games that season, hitting .220.
No. 4: The following season, Trout exploded onto the scene as a 20-year-old, hitting .326 with 30 home runs, 83 RBI, 129 runs scored, and 49 stolen bases en route to winning AL Rookie of the Year.
No. 5: It was the first season in MLB history that a player hit 30 home runs, stole 45 bases, and scored 125 runs.
No. 6: That rookie season, Trout finished second in AL MVP voting to Triple-Crown winner Miguel Cabrera.
No. 7: Trout has finished first or second in the award race every year since, until last year when he was limited to 114 games because of a wrist injury and finished fourth.
No. 8: Trout is the youngest player in MLB history to reach 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases (23 years, 253 days).
No. 9: Trout has led the majors in WAR in five of the last seven seasons.
No. 10: Trout has dominated the MLB All-Star Game, going 7-for-15 with two home runs, two doubles, one triple, four RBI, four runs, and three walks in six games.
No. 11: He’s won back-to-back All-Star Game MVPs.
No. 12: He has a sweet Corvette.
No. 13: He’s really, really fast.
No. 14: He has elite power.
No. 15: He can square almost any ball up.
No. 16: He can gun people out.
No. 17: He can catch just about anything in center field.
No. 18: Trout is often compared to Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle.
No. 19: Trout was taken with the No. 25 pick in the 2010 MLB Draft.
No. 20: Trout is from Millville, New Jersey.
No. 21: He has a few nicknames, including the “The Millville Meteor”, “King Fish 2.0”, and “Prince Fish”.
No. 22: Trout is like a normal guy from South Jersey.
No. 23: He’s a Philadelphia sports fan.
No. 24: Including a huge Eagles fan with season tickets.
No. 25: He is obsessed with the weather, including the snow.
No. 26: Trout has never gotten in trouble off the field and is a great face of baseball.
No. 27: He might be the best baseball player of all-time.
GOAT
He’s an animal
Living legend.