Monday was quite a bizarre day at Angels Stadium in Anaheim.
On the visitor's side, the Texas Rangers were alternately answering -- then fending off -- questions about Nelson Cruz's suspension for allegedly using PED's.
In the home clubhouse, the atmosphere was exactly the opposite.
The players were sitting at their lockers or gathered on the couch watching the televisions for the latest news about...fishing.
A few players such as C.J. Wilson and Josh Hamilton did answer questions about their former Rangers teammate and his involvement in the Biogenesis investigation. Other than that, it was business as usual, which gave us a chance to talk a little on-field baseball with Mike Trout and Howie Kendrick.
(If you'd like to hear their thoughts on the PED suspensions, click on the link for The Joe McDonnell Podcast.)
Trout, of course, has taken the baseball world by storm since being called up on April 28, 2012. He was the American League Rookie of the Year and finished second behind Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera of Detroit for the MVP Award.
So far in 2013 (as of Thursday) Trout is tied with Adrian Beltre for most hits in the majors (145) and set a record by an Angels outfielder by reaching base in 37 straight games. Overall, Trout -- who turned 22 on Wednesday -- is hitting .333 with 20 home runs, 70 RBI and 24 stolen bases.
Yet, while he's somewhat satisfied with his production since reaching the majors, he says he remains frustrated by the inconsistent play of the Angels overall.
Kendrick also discussed the pressure of living up to the massive expectations put upon him. The second baseman has seen these ups and down in his career -- both personally and team-wise.
A Halo for his entire career, Kendrick was having one of his best seasons -- hitting .301 with 11 home runs, 47 RBI and playing solid defense before hyperextending his left knee just a few hours after recording the podcast interview Monday afternoon. Fortunately, an MRI showed just a sprain, and the Angels aren't even putting Howie on the DL.
"I was really scared when it happened," Kendrick said. "I thought it could be really bad. Fortunately it doesn't look that way, and hopefully I won't miss too much time."
