Major League Baseball

Angels' Trout humbled in winning AL Most Valuable Player award

Published Nov. 13, 2014 10:01 p.m. ET

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In the moments after the Angels' Mike Trout was named the Most Valuable Player in the American League, he did a rare thing by showing his emotions.

The 23-year-old Trout does so many things on and off the field — hitting career-bests with 36 home runs and 111 RBI — yet he couldn't hide how important the MVP award was to him.

Speaking from his family's New Jersey home during a national-televised awards show, Trout thanked all of the people who helped him become the fifth youngest player to earn the MVP award from the Baseball Writers Association of America.

The superstar, who is known in his hometown as the "Millville Meteor" was happy to share the honor with family and friends, who were cheering so loud in the background that it caused Trout to pause and laugh.

"It's always good coming back in the offseason and spending time in your hometown where you grew up," Trout said in a conference call. "To bring (the MVP) back to Millville means a lot. This is where you came from. There are very special people and family members that live there, and friends live here too, so it's special for them, too."

One of the things Trout credited for his rise in production was batting in the No. 2 spot. His improved power was undeniable and that helped him win one of baseball's most coveted awards.

"It felt good," Trout said of this season's improvements. "My strikeouts, obviously are up there. My numbers were still at a career-high RBI and I got to drive in a lot more runs. I was just happy I got to get to the playoffs. I got a taste of it."

Trout led the Angels to the best record in baseball with 98 wins and the best offense in baseball, in which he scored 115 runs.

In an Instagram post not long after he won, Trout held an "MVP!" sign with the caption: "To play this game is an HONOR. To be respected enough to win this award...HUMBLING. Thank you!!! #ANGELS #MILLVILLE #FutureGetsFaster."

Trout began countless interviews after winning the award, then was scheduled to celebrate with family and friends.

The Angels are happy to celebrate this rare distinction as well. The previous two seasons, Trout finished as the runner-up in MVP voting to Detroit's Miguel Cabrera. The third time was the charm.

"Mike has had an incredible start to his career," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "His play this year totally embodies what an MVP is all about. His terrific performance, along with his selfless style of play, has made him a tremendous leader on this team."

Trout joins Vladimir Guerrero and Don Baylor as the three Angles players who have won the MVP. Trout even wears the same number Guerrero did — 27.

"I feel very happy for Mike, a gifted baseball player and a solid person, who has used his talent and his passion to earn the award," Guerrero said. "So exciting to see another AL MVP wearing the Angels uniform. I also want to thank Mike for wearing my favorite number."

Trout has worn the Angels uniform well as he's done much in the community and signed countless autographs on a daily basis. Those things don't help win an MVP, but they sure build on his impressive story.

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The playoffs didn't go as Trout or his teammates planned as the Royals swept the Angels in the AL Division Series 3-0.

"It's tough to do. You have all these high expectations. You want to be so good, if you just play your game you'll do a lot better," Trout said. "You go out there and try to do too much and you get in trouble. You've got to trust yourself and play your game."

Trout said he's working hard in the offseason to get faster and stronger.

"Mike Trout has been an all-round force over the past three seasons," Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said. "This honor is well deserved and further affirms his position as the premier player in the game. We are all proud of his accomplishments and thrilled that he's part of the Angels family."

And now, Major League Baseball's MVP family.

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