MLB

Former Salt Lake Bees Star Mike Trout Narrates Touching Video On What Would Be MLB Opening Day

Mar 26, 2020, 10:25 AM | Updated: 2:02 pm

Mike Trout - Salt Lake Bees - Deseret News...

Mike Trout warms up as the Salt Lake Bees open the season at home in Salt Lake City Friday, April 13, 2012. (Courtesy of Deseret News)

(Courtesy of Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Salt Lake Bees star and current Los Angeles Angels centerfielder Mike Trout narrated a touching video released by Major League Baseball on what would have been Opening Day.

MLB shared the video voiced by Trout via its official Twitter account on Thursday, March 26.

10 days prior to the originally scheduled Opening Day of baseball, MLB announced that the start of its 2020 season would be delayed at least two months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Every year on opening day we come together to hope, to believe, to be part of a community. Opening Day may be postponed but unity, hope, and community don’t have to be,” said Trout, “This is a team game, played by individuals, and every one of us has a role to play. Even though we are apart, we can come together.”

MLB announced the decision to postpone the start of the 2020 schedule in a statement released on March 16.

The decision came one day after the CDC recommended that public events restrict attendance to less than 50 people for the next eight weeks. That restriction runs through at least May 10.

“The one thing I know for sure is baseball will be back,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN. “Whenever it’s safe to play, we’ll be back. Our fans will be back. Our players will be back. And we will be part of the recovery, the healing in this country, from this particular pandemic.

The MLB schedule was originally slated to take place from the end of March until October.

“Look, my optimistic outlook is that at some point in May, we’ll be gearing back up,” Manfred added. “We’ll have to make a determination, depending what the precise date is, as to how much of a preparation period we need, whether that preparation period is going to be done in the clubs’ home cities or back in Florida and Arizona. Again, I think the goal would be to get as many regular-season games as possible and think creatively about how we can accomplish that goal.”

Mike Trout

Trout was drafted by the Angels in the first round of the 2009 MLB Draft.

The centerfielder spent part of the 2012 season with Los Angeles’ Triple-A affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees. Trout appeared in 77 at-bats over 20 games with the Bees. He posted a batting average of .403, 31 hits, 1 home run, and 13 RBIs during his time with Salt Lake.

Trout finished 2012 in the Major League and won American League Rookie of the Year.

Since then, Trout has won the American League MVP award three times, been named an All-Star eight times, and made All-MLB First Team in 2019.

Coronavirus Resources

How Do I Prevent It?

The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

  • Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Stay home when you are sick
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

The CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask respirator to protect yourself from coronavirus unless a healthcare professional recommends it.

How To Get Help

If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.

Additional Resources

If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.

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Former Salt Lake Bees Star Mike Trout Narrates Touching Video On What Would Be MLB Opening Day