Mike Trout appeared to catch the ball in a play reminiscent of Mookie Betts’ infamous catch during the 2024 World Series. Just like Betts, Trout had a caught ball taken away by a fan, but this time the outcome was more amicable. The incident occurred during a game against the Houston Astros, where Trout caught a foul ball only for it to be yanked out by an Astros fan. Despite the fan interference, umpires ruled it a foul ball, granting the Astros a reprieve. The Angels went on to win the game 4-1, extending their surprising 9-5 start to the season. The fan involved, identified as Jared Whalen, expressed regret for his actions, explaining that he was trying to protect his son from the incoming ball. After the game, Trout made peace with Whalen, gifting him and his son memorabilia and appreciating his apology. This incident had a different aftermath compared to Betts’ situation, where fan interference sparked a larger debate on player safety. MLB took action by banning the fans involved from future games.
“You’re not going to do anything. Go back to right field.” Trout may have experienced similar frustration at that moment, but thankfully he reconciled with the situation. On a positive note, Trout was tied for the MLB lead in home runs with six on Saturday and also contributed two RBIs with a single in the first inning.
