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After a 40-game introduction to Major League Baseball in 2011, Mike Trout began a historic run of greatness. The 2012 Rookie of the Year, Trout led the league in WAR (10.5), OPS+ (168), runs (129), and stolen bases (49). He was the runner up in MVP balloting to Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera. Tout also earned a Silver Slugger Award.

From there Trout had a run of success rarely matched in baseball history. In 2013 Trout made his second All Star team and earned his second straight Silver Slugger Award. Once again the centerfielder paced the AL in WAR and finished behind batting champ Cabrera in MVP voting.

The 2014 season featured another dominant performance. Trout led the AL in WAR for the third straight season. The league leader in total bases, Trout made his annual trip to the Mid Summer Classic. A third Silver Slugger Award resulted. This time, voters rewarded him with his first MVP Award.

In the collection is this game-used lineup card from Trout’s 2014 MVP season. Signed by skipper Mike Scioscia, it shows center fielder Trout hitting second in the order, one slot above Albert Pujols.

In this contest of July 20, 2014 Trout went 3-for-4 and swatted the 85th homer of his career. Trout’s solo blast pushed his career total of runs batted in to 270. He also scored two runs.

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Mike Trout accomplished more in his first ten years than most players achieve in a career. From 2011-2020 the Angels center fielder filled his trophy case.

Trout earned the Rookie of the Year Award, eight Silver Sluggers, and three Most Valuable Player Awards. After a decade in the bigs, Trout’s 74.4 WAR ranked 52nd all time among position players. His 5.91 career shares in MVP balloting put him sixth all time. Trout completed his first ten seasons with an OPS of exactly 1.000.

Shown here is a ticket to the 2014 All Star Game autographed by Mike Trout. The ticket and signature are authenticated by PSA/DNA. In that game, Trout was the star among stars. In the first inning he tripled in Derek Jeter for the game’s first run. Trout later scored on a homer by Miguel Cabrera.

Then with the game tied in the 5th inning, Trout doubled home Derek Norris to put the AL on top 4-3. They never relinquished the lead and Trout was named the game’s MVP.

It was a magical year for Trout who led the league in runs, RBI, and total bases to hear his first regular-season MVP Award.

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In 1999 Major League Baseball created the Hank Aaron Award to recognize the the top overall offensive performer in each league. According to MLB.com, a panel of Hall of Famers combines with a fan vote to determine the recipient.

Mike Trout earned the honor twice. In 2014 he led the American League in runs (115), RBI (111), and total bases (338) to capture the award. Then in 2019 he slugged a career-best 45 homers while topping the AL in on-base percentage (.438) and slugging percentage (.635).

Shown here is a telegram from the day after Aaron passed the Babe Ruth to become baseball’s career home run leader. Dated April 9, 1974, it reads, “Congratulations on number 715”. Aaron has signed the bottom right of the telegram. Click here to see a list of Hank Aaron Award winners.