Mike Trout‘s recent injury was an unexpected shock that hit the baseball world. The superstar seems sidelined, and his path to baseball immortality appears growingly uncertain.  But Trout is not alone in this struggle. Ken Griffey Jr., another centerfielder whose career was marred by injuries, understands the pain all too well.

Griffey was quick to respond to the news of Trout’s torn left meniscus in his left knee, for which he will undergo surgery on Friday. This instance brought Griffey a flood of memories that highlight his own battles with injuries, surgeries, and lost seasons. Both Griffey and Trout have been compared to all-time greats, but their ability to live up to those comparisons was hampered by their unfortunate stints at the IL due to health issues.

Ken Griffey Jr. defends Mike Trout

In a recent interview with USA Today, the former Seattle Mariners centerfielder shed light on the unique challenges faced by center fielders. They constantly cover vast amounts of ground, putting immense stress on their bodies. Further, Ken Griffey Jr. argues that this demanding position has a limited “shelf life”. His words were, “Just look at some of the greatest center fielders who played this game. They have only a 12- or 13-year shelf life. It’s just such a demanding position.”

The 54-year-old legend further went on to speak pressingly about the practice of comparing young players to legends. He highlighted the unfairness of placing such a weight on a player’s shoulders so early in their career. This emotion resonates with Trout’s situation, where comparisons to Mickey Mantle have become a source of pressure and ultimately a disappointment.

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Griffey’s claim of the world comparing Trout’s first nine seasons to Mantle’s has showcased their similar stats. However, Trout’s performance has significantly declined in recent years, much like Mantle’s post-30 slump. Similar declines are highlighted in the careers of other star center fielders like Andruw Jones and Andrew McCutchen.

Trout himself is not alien to the unfortunate situation he finds himself in, although objections from the baseball community were bound to come his way.

Mike Trout receives criticism for not being healthy

The 10x Gold Glove Award winner also spoke candidly about the grueling reality of rehab. He emphasized the daily grind and frustration of missing games while teammates are constantly in contention. This sentiment adds a lot of depth to Trout’s situation, which explains the emotional toll that missing playing time due to injuries takes on a player. While the majority understands, there are some who have also heavily criticized. 

Tout has received criticism for his frequent injuries. He specifically addresses ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith’s harsh comments questioning Trout’s condition. The harsh words were, “How the hell is he always hurt? I don’t understand this. It drives me nuts when I see baseball players get hurt. What is it that you’re doing with yourself physically that you can’t stay healthy playing baseball?”

But Griffey staunchly defended Trout, “People have this perception without even knowing the guy, and it’s wrong. Everybody wants to talk and have their opinion about somebody else’s career. Let him do his own talking.”

That said, it is evident that Griffy has Trout’s back. While he defends the Angels’ star with all his heart, he understands Trout’s pain because he too has been on a similar path. One can only hope that Mike Trout is back healthy and in form soon.