Controversial Boston Red Sox Icon Questions Mike Trout's Greatness With a Very Real Take

Mike Trout is one of the best players in MLB right now. No doubt about that! But the Los Angeles Angels star has drawn flak for his lack of team success. Trout has only been in the postseason once in his career, during the 2014 season. Since then, the Angels have struggled to win games and challenge for the playoffs. This has put a dent in his legacy, with analysts criticizing him as well.

Few experts criticize Trout’s individual play, where he has earned his status as one of baseball’s very best. But most recently, a Boston Red Sox icon and bona fide pitching legend called Trout out in a tweet. 

Pitching legend Curt Schilling recently called Mike Trout out 

Mike Trout is a 3-time AL MVP and 10-time All-Star. Over his career, there are few individual honors that he has not been awarded, considering his ability with the bat. But most recently, 3-time World Series champion Curt Schilling called Trout out regarding a statistic of his. In a Tweet, he mentioned that Mike Trout had struck out swinging at all three pitches only 24 times. Schilling then proceeded to criticize the Angels outfielder, saying that many other legends had done better. 

In the Tweet, Schilling said, “So I heard some folks raging about this awesome stat. Mike Trout has ONLY struck out swinging at ALL THREE PITCHES 24 times in 6174 at bats. Pretty sure that’s going to be a “no big deal” when someone dives into it. I would bet good money Tony Gwynn did it less than 10 times in his career. Rod Carew, Pete Rose? I bet Ted Williams did it less than 10 times. @ChickenMan3010 would be a VERY safe bet to have done it less than 20 times over FAR MORE AB’s.

Schilling went after Trout and criticized him, picking other MLB legends over him. Furthermore, he is doing so, shortly after Japan beat Team USA in the World Baseball Classic Finals. The Los Angeles Angels’ star centerfielder will now be focused on the 2023 MLB season. 

Trout and the Angels are aiming for the postseason

Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels are aiming to make the postseason for the first time since 2014. The motivation to do so is even higher, as Shohei Ohtani will be a free agent after the 2023 season. Although the Angels owner Art Moreno has committed to offering Ohtani whatever it takes to keep him, team success will also be a factor.