Former Angels Coach Sends Depressing Mike Trout Message

The last time Angels star centerfielder Mike Trout reached the postseason was in 2014. At that time, President Barack Obama was two years into his second term, Disney's Frozen dominated pop culture, and the mobile game Flappy Bird was trending among teenagers across the country.

That postseason run was short-lived as Trout and the Angels failed to win a single game against the Kansas City Royals. Their last postseason victory dates back to Trout’s rookie year in 2009.

A Career Full of Achievements

Despite the Angels' lack of team success, Trout has built one of the most impressive résumés in modern baseball. He holds three MVP awards, nine Silver Slugger titles, and eleven All-Star selections. Yet, his absence from October baseball for over a decade has made him fade from the forefront of the league’s elite stars.

“He was the best player out there, and he was so young and he had all the tools, the passion for the game. He was Mike Trout and it kind of disappeared, which is sad,” said former Angels third-base coach Dino Ebel to The Athletic.

Perspective on a Lost Era

The comments from Ebel highlight the frustration of seeing one of baseball’s greatest talents overshadowed by his team’s persistent postseason shortcomings.

Author’s Summary: Despite Mike Trout’s legendary career, his postseason drought underscores how even elite talent can be stifled by years of organizational underperformance.

Sports Illustrated — 2025-11-06