Stephen A. Smith faces heavy criticism for comments about Mike Trout injury
Dec 18, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith broadcasts before a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
MLB fans are once again asking Stephen A. Smith to stick to basketball.
During Wednesday’s episode of “First Take” on ESPN, Smith shared some of his thoughts on the latest injury to Mike Trout. The Los Angeles Angels revealed this week that Trout has a torn meniscus in his knee and will undergo surgery, keeping him out indefinitely.
To say that Smith has no sympathy for Trout would be an understatement. Smith went on a huge rant in which he criticized Trout for not being able to stay healthy. The analyst also suggested the latest injury is karma for Trout since the star outfielder has decided to remain with the Angels.
“What the hell are you doing to take care of yourself? Always injured. I mean, damn, it’s baseball!” Smith said. “What are we talking about here? It’s not football. It’s not boxing. It’s not UFC. You’re not running up and down the court 94 feet in basketball for 82 nights a year. It’s baseball! Half the time y’all are standing out in the outfield chewing those pumpkin seeds or something, waiting for a ball to come your way. How the hell is he always hurt?
“I’ve grown disgusted with his lack of availability. These oblique injuries, you’re running around the bases and catch a hamstring injury, running out for a fly ball and all of a sudden something gets tweaked. What the hell is going on? You talk about karma with the New York Knicks? How about this — maybe it’s karma that he stayed with the Angels.”
This is the most unprofessional shit I've ever seen in my entire life..
Stephen A Smith just said Mike Trout tearing his meniscus "is karma for staying with the Angels" pic.twitter.com/VTK3Vkekub
— Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) May 1, 2024
Trout has missed 249 total games due to injury over the previous three MLB seasons combined. He is making $35.5 million per year on a contract that runs through 2030, so the Angels have not been getting much bang for their buck the past few years.
Many Angels fans have been frustrated with Trout’s inability to stay healthy, but non-contact injuries happen in every sport. We have seen multiple such injuries that have significantly impacted the NBA playoffs, so Smith should be quite familiar with them.
