Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout says Stan Kroenke’s $4 billion takeover is “needed” as a “fresh start” after the billionaire Walmart heir agreed a $4 billion deal to buy the Major League Baseball team from Arte Moreno.
With Moreno’s 23-year ownership of the Angels at an end, Trout says he feels no “bad things” or “hard feelings” towards the American, who has faced pressure to sell from fans disgruntled by a 17-year wait for a win in a post-season game.
“You kind of felt it was needed,” said Trout, who joined the Angels in 2011 and signed a 12-year, $426 million contract to stay with the team in 2019.
“The guys are excited. There’s a good vibe around the clubhouse, around the stadium. I’m sure the fans are excited.”
Los Angeles Angels: Stan Kroenke teams
Kroenke’s Kroenke Sports and Entertainment group owns NFL outfit the Los Angeles Rams, the Denver Nuggets of the NBA, NHL side the Colorado Avalanche and Arsenal, of the English Premier League – with each of those teams winning a league championship in the last four seasons.
“I’m super excited to meet him, talk to him and get to know him a little bit and see where it goes,” said Trout, praising the “fresh start” while adding that his own future “doesn’t change”.
The Angels are bottom of the MLB American League West after losing 7-3 at home to the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
Arte Moreno: Angels owner ‘took chance’ on Trout
Moreno – who, like Kroenke, is 80 – bought the Angels for $184 million in 2003, after they had won the World Series.
Under Moreno’s ownership, the Angels won five championships between between 2004 and 2009.
“He took a chance on a 17-year-old kid from Millville, New Jersey and took care of me and my family,” reflected Trout.
Here’s a selection of Trout’s key stats with the Angels.
| Honour | Times awarded | Years |
|---|---|---|
| All-Star | 12 | 2012–2019, 2021–2023, 2026 |
| AL MVP | 3 | 2014, 2016, 2019 |
| All-MLB First Team | 3 | 2019, 2020, 2022 |
| AL Rookie of the Year | 1 | 2012 |
| Silver Slugger Award | 9 | 2012–2016, 2018–2020, 2022 |
| AL Hank Aaron Award | 2 | 2014, 2019 |
Stan Kroenke net worth, Walmart real estate
American real estate magnate Kroenke’s net worth is currently $24.3bn, according to financial experts Forbes.
The outlet says he owns 60 million square feet of real estate, much of which constitutes shopping plazas near Walmart stores.
Forbes also attribute 2.7 million acres of ranches across the US and Canada to Kroenke.
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