Mike Trout's All-Star performance leads to second straight MVP win
Mike Trout entered Tuesday as the reigning All-Star Game MVP, and he left as the first-ever back-to-back winner of the award.
The American League came out victorious 6-3 in the 2015 MLB All-Star Game, and it was the MVP who got the party started in the top half of the first inning.
The Los Angeles Angels centerfielder led off the game with an opposite-field home run off National League starting pitcher Zack Greinke -- the first time such a feat has been accomplished since Bo Jackson did it in 1989.
.@MikeTrout’s four-year #ASG cycle was worth the wait. WATCH: http://t.co/GO89cw28qz #TroutMVP pic.twitter.com/Q4fjHRDD8M
— Angels (@Angels) July 15, 2015
On a 1-2 count and Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke on the mound, Trout reached out and struck a line-drive home run that landed in the first row of the right field bleachers, quickly giving the AL a 1-0 lead. He finished the game 1-3 with a HR, a walk and two runs scored.
Entering the game, Trout only needed a home run to complete the cycle in his four total All-Star appearances. After the game, Trout said he was unaware of the accomplishment.
"Oh really? No, I didn't know," Trout said. "That's pretty cool."
Trout was asked after the game about what it means to be widely considered the best player in baseball:
"I try to respect the game as much as I can, play the game the right way and just have fun -- never disrespect it, and give it my all everyday."
Rarely does an athlete continue to outdo himself virtually every time he steps on the field of play, but that's exactly what Mike Trout seemingly does on a yearly ... monthly ... daily basis.
