Trout becomes youngest to join 200-200 club
Angels superstar picks up 200th stolen base to best Bonds by 325 days
ANAHEIM -- Mike Trout made history on Saturday night in the Angels' 10-4 comeback win against the Red Sox at Angel Stadium, as he recorded his 200th career stolen base to become the youngest player to join the 200-homer, 200-stolen base club.
Trout, who entered the game with 283 career long balls, is 28 years, 24 days old. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Barry Bonds was previously the youngest to enter the 200-200 club, at 28 years, 349 days. Bonds, the only member of the 400-400 club, actually reached 200 steals two seasons before hitting his 200th home run.
"It's a pretty cool accomplishment," said Trout, who hadn't stolen a base since Aug. 14. "I was sitting on that one for a while, so I'm just happy I got it over with."
After singling home Luis Rengifo with a blooper to right off right-hander Marcus Walden in the second inning, Trout swiped second with Brian Goodwin at the plate and two outs. Trout was stranded there, but his 11th stolen base of the season gave him 200 in his nine-year career.
Trout is the 40th player with 250 homers and 200 stolen bases, joining Ryan Braun and Ian Kinsler as the only other active players.
"When I get the opportunity to go, I take that chance,” Trout said. “Especially when it's a good opportunity. You've got to know who's behind the plate, know the times from the pitcher. It's knowing the situation."
Trout led the American League with 49 stolen bases as a rookie in 2012, and while he's seen his totals dip over the years, he remains incredibly efficient at swiping bags. Trout has been caught just 36 times in his career, giving him a success rate of 84.7 percent. Among players with at least 200 career stolen bases, it's the third-best rate in Major League history behind Carlos Beltran (86.4 percent) and Jarrod Dyson (85 percent).
“I think the best thing about his basestealing is he’s very efficient,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “He doesn’t get caught a ton. I don’t like wasting outs on the bases. I think the outs should are reserved for the guys swinging the bats.”
Earlier this season, Trout became the first player in AL history to post eight consecutive seasons with at least 25 homers and 10 stolen bases. The only other Major Leaguers to accomplish that feat are Bonds (12 years, 1990-2001), Darryl Strawberry (nine years, 1983-91) and Willie Mays (eight years, 1955-62).
Additionally, the only other players with at least 275 homers and 200 stolen bases in the AL in a career are Alex Rodriguez, Reggie Jackson, Jose Canseco, Joe Carter, Don Baylor and George Brett.
Pujols also sets milestones
Trout wasn’t alone in reaching milestones, as Albert Pujols went 2-for-4 with a double, a homer and three RBIs to move into fifth all-time in extra-base hits with 1,325, passing Hall of Famer Willie Mays. He also is now tied with Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. with 3,184 career hits, which ranks 14th all-time.
“I’m blessed. I’ve had an unbelievable career,” Pujols said. “Still have another couple years left. Those are things where the success I have I share with people. Just try to stay focused even when challenged.”
Additionally, with his three-run homer as part of a seven-run eighth inning, Pujols reached 20 homers for the 17th time in his career. The only other players to homer at least 20 times in 17 seasons are Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Bonds and Mays.
“Every season you hit 20, at the end of the day it is about helping your club win,” Pujols said. “I think I’m going to have plenty of time to look at numbers. Main focus is trying to help my club win every day.”