Mike Trout wins 2012 AL Rookie of the Year Award
Posted on November 12, 2012
Mike Trout #27 (right) and Mark Trumbo #44 of the Los Angeles Angels talk in the dugout during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum on Wednesday May 23, 2012 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
It came as no surprise this afternoon when Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout was named the 2012 American League Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America. The vote was unanimous as Trout won all 28 first place votes. The 21-year-old phenom from New Jersey has been heralded by many people as the next Mickey Mantle. The kid was a slam dunk to win this award over my second choice, the young Cuban star on the Oakland Athletics Yoenis Cespedes.
Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels laughs in the dugout with coach Dino Ebel before the game against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum on Monday, August 6, 2012 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
The last AL rookie to be a unanimous winner was fellow Angel Tim Salmon back in 1993. I photographed a big story on Trout for Sports Illustrated a few months ago and had a great time shooting him three games in a row in Oakland. I knew the kid was something special, but having the chance to shoot him three games in a row was an eye-opening experience. Seeing all he can do on the field, while always flashing his terrific smile, was a blast. You can’t make a bad picture of this kid.
Erick Aybar #2 and Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrate after the game against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
The great thing about Trout is that he plays in the AL West, meaning I get to see him on three separate trips to Oakland each season, as well as several times during spring training in Arizona. I look forward to shooting this kid for a long time. Nice going kid!
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