On the Monday before the All Star Game Bill Shaikin started a lot of trouble by publishing a piece in the LA Times about the struggles in getting Mike Trout the kind of attention he deserves. Aside from playing most of his games on the West Coast and a lack of playoff appearances Shaikin also stated that Trout turns down high profile opportunities to promote himself and the sport. Torii Hunter is quoted in the piece as saying:
“If Mike really wanted to, if he got a marketing team and everything, he would be the face of baseball,” . . . “He doesn’t. He wants to be with his wife and keep it simple.
“It’s his choice. It’s not anybody else’s choice.”
At the end of the article Shaikin asks:
Should the league do a better job of promoting him?
“I don’t know,” Trout said. “I’m not telling anybody to do that.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred went on The Dan Patrick Show (go to the 33 minute mark) the next day and when asked about promoting players cited Shaikin’s piece and agreed with it. Manfred felt it was the responsibility of the league to promote its players but they could only promote them as much as they were willing to be promoted.
Later in the day Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register asked Manfred more about promoting Trout.
The Los Angeles Angels released their 2018 promotional schedule recently. The stadium giveaways include a number of Mike Trout themed items. It appears the team is going to do their best to get every kid in the Los Angeles area the chance to own a Mike Trout jersey. With seven opportunities to get a youth sized jersey you shouldn’t have any problem helping your kid show off their love for #27. Other giveaways include a Mike Trout Nutcracker and a special birthday shirt on August 7th when #27 turns 27 years old. After a slew of bobbleheads celebrating Mike’s 2016 MVP award it appears there won’t be any Trout 
June 22 – Blue Jays
