For about a month, we've dreamed of a Phillies outfield with both Bryce Harper and Mike Trout in it. It's time to get some new dreams and that's okay.
Trout is reportedly set to sign a massive extension with the Los Angeles Angels (see story), erasing his 2020 free agency and making it nearly impossible for the Phillies to trade for him anytime soon.
There's two ways to look at this news if you're a Phillies fan. For years, we've wanted Trout, a Millville, New Jersey, native and huge Philadelphia sports fan, to come home and play for the Phillies. We cheered him at Eagles games, we analyzed his quotes about his future and how he must want to be a Phillie someday. One person even bought a Mike Trout Phillies jersey and wears it to games.
It's time to move on and just appreciate Trout for what he is, a generational talent from our area who will likely never play in Philadelphia. That has to be okay.
On social media, there has been a range of reactions already. We have the irrational, "boo this man" crowd.
Better be boo'd whenever shown anymore. Don't hype up the Philly connection your whole career only to decline the chance to sign here and then expect to be loved.— Philadelfly (@PhiladelFly) March 19, 2019
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Will Mike Trout now get boo'd at Eagles games?!?!? pic.twitter.com/mnFRhPTq7h— papajohn7704 (@IcecoachK) March 19, 2019
…we also have the more sensible crowd, which just so happens to be led by one of the best American soccer players of our generation.
Sad sad day. But what a player. #trout #TheGreatest #southjersey https://t.co/cQscSAx2L3— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) March 19, 2019
Holy Toledo. Four hundred. Thirty million. Good for Mike Trout!— Robby Gutierrez (@Robg1063) March 19, 2019
Look, it was fun to think about Trout playing for the Phillies. He's good enough to have warranted all the attention and romanticism he's gotten over the past few years.
This does not mean we should boo Mike Trout now. However, it probably means we should show him a little less on TV during Eagles games.
Just how Kobe Bryant never played for the Sixers, Trout is just going to have to be appreciated from afar, and that's okay.
Don't boo this man. Look at the Phillies' roster, we'll be just fine.
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