Hometown kid Mark Trumbo leads Angels' playoff push

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mark Trumbo knows more about the Los Angeles Angels than his teammates. He grew up 10 minutes from Angel Stadium, rooting for the club through every name change and logo swap.

Nobody has to tell this slugging first baseman he's in prime position to make a little franchise history alongside Tim Salmon, the only Angels player to win the AL Rookie of the Year award.

"I talk to (Salmon) all the time," Trumbo said. "He's been really helpful to me. The guy has walked the walk, so it's not just hot air coming out. He's been there, he's done it, and he's done it in this ballpark. And he was my favorite player growing up, so that holds a little more (weight) for me, too."

The Angels are just grateful another hometown boy made good.

Trumbo is the unlikely engine driving the Los Angeles offense in its playoff chase with Texas, leading the Angels and all AL rookies with 26 homers and 80 RBIs. After starting the season as a stopgap for injured Kendrys Morales, Trumbo has been the Angels' most dangerous hitter — and barring a surge by Torii Hunter in the final three weeks, he'll become the first rookie to lead the Angels in homers and RBIs.

And to think, Trumbo was a secondary thought when the Angels reported to spring training. He simply hoped to build on his few weeks of major league experience with a backup role — but when Morales' comeback from a broken leg stalled, Trumbo slugged his way into the lineup and wouldn't leave.

"What Mark has done is remarkable, and yet we're not surprised with him," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We knew he had a great deal of potential, even if he wasn't our top-rated prospect. He came up last September and showed us what to expect, and (Morales') injury created an opportunity. He certainly grabbed it."

The 25-year-old Trumbo is quietly unimpressed with himself, insisting he knew he could be a star power hitter in the majors if only given the chance. He also resists comparisons to Salmon, who led the Angels with 31 homers in 1993.

Salmon isn't quite so shy. Now a broadcaster for his only major league club, Salmon cultivated a friendship with Trumbo during spring training.

"I'm pulling for him like a coach would, because you've been part of that process of him getting here," Salmon said. "He's a big power hitter and a guy I could relate to, and I'm a guy he can relate to."