Trout has turned down several opportunities that would place him in front of a broader national TV audienceGETTY IMAGES
The Angels last night fired back at MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s suggestion that CF Mike Trout could do more to promote himself, issuing a statement vigorously defending their star. After Manfred made the rounds at the All-Star Game saying that Trout has made “certain decisions” that have inhibited his marketability, the club stood firmly behind Trout in a direct rebuke of the commissioner. The statement read in part, “One of Mike’s traits that people admire most is his humility. … We applaud him for prioritizing his personal values over commercial self-promotion.” Angels Communications Dir Eric Kay last night also tweeted, “Mike doesn’t self promote he gets criticized for it. Everyone else thinks they know what is best for Mike. No one takes more time to engage with fans than Trout. … He represents the Angels better than anyone has. EVER.” Trout himself later sought to distance himself from the debate, tweeting, “I have received lots of questions about Commissioner Manfred’s recent statement. I am not a petty guy and would really encourage everyone to just move forward. Everything is cool between the Commissioner and myself. End of story. I am ready to just play some baseball!” Trout has turned down several opportunities that would place him in front of a broader national TV audience, including a “60 Minutes” profile as well as MLB vehicles such as the Home Run Derby and World Baseball Classic (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer).
STINGING REBUKE OF COMMISH: USA TODAY's Gabe Lacques noted the Angels' stance is a "startling rebuke" of Manfred, and the team's "withering statement ... did not mention Manfred by name but certainly made clear who they were referencing" (USATODAY.com, 7/18). In L.A., Bill Shaikin wrote the team statement was an "extraordinary rebuke of a sitting commissioner," who might have been pegged Trout to "replace Derek Jeter as the face of baseball." However, Trout "does not hold the league responsible for not transforming him into an icon of popular culture." Meanwhile, despite being voted into the All-Star Game the last six seasons, he "fell out of the top 10 in MLB jersey sales" earlier this year (L.A. TIMES, 7/19). The Angels’ statement also represents another flashpoint between team Owner Arte Moreno and Manfred. Moreno, who was involved in the drafting of the club’s statement, initially threw his support behind Red Sox Chair Tom Werner when Manfred was elected to succeed Bud Selig in '14. Since Manfred won that election, Moreno has been scarce at owners’ meetings (Fisher).
BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE: SI.com's Jimmy Traina wrote the "dilemma for Manfred" in this situation is that there is "absolutely nothing wrong with Trout not wanting to market himself." He is "not obligated to 'build his brand' on social media, or play video games with Conan, or do a bit for Fallon to see if people on the street can recognize him." It also is not Trout's fault for "not having a dynamic personality." However, the "other reality is that MLB gets no juice from its best player." Traina: "No buzz. Nothing they can promote. Nothing to draw the fringe fan in." Traina: "For the commissioner to actually admit this and be so frank about it is quite amazing and tells you how much this is a problem for baseball" (SI.com, 7/18). ESPN's Jason Fitz said he finds Manfred's comments to be an "incredibly blunt and honest moment" from MLB saying "the player has to be in on this, there's not much more we can do." ESPN's Mike Golic Jr. understands Manfred's frustration "because he has a game that is oft-criticized as old and incapable of putting these stars in the right place" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 7/19). ESPN's Dan Le Batard: "This is a baseball problem, not a Trout problem" ("Highly Questionable," ESPN, 7/18).
YOU DO YOU: ESPN's Tim Kurkjian said Manfred "is right" when he says marketing stars "has to start with the player." However, Trout is "just not comfortable being out in front all the time." Kurkjian: "Even though he's got a lot to share, he's a funny guy who tells a good story and has interesting stories to tell, he's just not that way. I think the best way to market the game for him is what he's doing right now." MLB would "like him to do more, but this is his choice" ("OTL," ESPN, 7/18).
FOUL BALL? ESPN's Israel Gutierrez said, "This is your best player and you're calling him out. ... That's the wrong thing to do" ("Highly Questionable," ESPN, 7/18). ESPN's Ryan Hollins said Manfred's comments are "one of the most selfish things I've ever heard." Hollins: "Instead of looking in the mirror and having self-accountability for how poorly you're running your league and how unentertaining it is, you tell this guy to be something that he's not." ESPN's Tom Waddle said it is a "lazy narrative" for Manfred to "point a finger at a player who's done nothing but excel" ("First Take," ESPN, 7/18).
