On Monday, ESPN’s analysts named Mike Trout the second-best player of the 21st Century — ahead of Barry Bonds and Derek Jeter and behind only Albert Pujols.
On Tuesday, the second-best player of the 2000s is expected to suit up for the Salt Lake Bees.
Trout’s rehab assignment provides a rare opportunity for Utahns to see one of the game’s greats in action — and fans are clearly interested.
“Since the news broke on Saturday we’ve sold nearly 5,000 tickets just for Tuesday night’s game,” a Bees spokesperson said Monday. “We recommend that fans buy tickets in advance as we are tracking to be near a sellout by first pitch tomorrow night.”
The Bees begin a six-game homestand against El Paso on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
This won’t be Trout’s first time at Smith’s Ballpark.
In 2012, he spent 20 games with Triple-A Salt Lake before being called up to the big leagues. He hit .403 and tallied 13 RBIs, 10 extra-base hits and one home run in 77 at bats with the Bees.
Trout hasn’t played for the Los Angeles Angels since April 29, when he opted to have surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
In 14 Major League seasons, Trout has racked up 1,648 hits, 378 homers, 954 RBIs and a career .299 batting average.