Mike Trout was fully locked in during the Angels’ matchup against the Houston Astros when a fly ball headed toward his section of the outfield, landing close to the stands. Trout made the catch—until a home-team fan reached over and ripped the ball straight out of his glove. He immediately appealed to the umpire, but the crew ruled it a foul ball.
The incident occurred in the bottom of the 2nd inning, with the Angels holding a 2-run lead while the Astros were still struggling to get runners on base. Up to that point, the Angels’ pitching had been nearly flawless, and their defense was sharp.
While the umpires allowed the play to stand, it later surfaced that the fan involved had been ejected from the ballpark. Following the game’s conclusion, Trout and the Astros fan reportedly shook hands and exchanged a few words, seemingly clearing the air. MLB typically enforces rules against fan interference, regardless of which team the fan supports.
Angels show early-season promise
Despite dropping the series opener against the Astros, the Angels are off to a strong start in 2025. They sit at 8-5 overall, including a solid 6-4 record on the road. The team has looked sharp both offensively and defensively across their first 13 games.
Mike Trout looks healthy and locked in
Trout appears comfortable in the outfield, now playing right field after spending most of his career in center. He’s already launched 6 home runs in limited games so far this season, showing signs of a strong comeback campaign.
SURVEY Was the punishment fair for the fan who took the ball from Trout?
Was the punishment fair for the fan who took the ball from Trout?
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If he keeps up this pace, Trout could exceed his Baseball Reference projection of 17 home runs and a .257 batting average for 2025. He hasn’t hit more than 20 home runs in a season since 2022, when he belted 40—but even then, the Angels failed to reach the postseason. Trout hasn’t played in a playoff game since 2014.