Angels pundit points major reason Anthony Rendon gets hate while Mike Trout garners sympathy

Los Angeles Angels pundit Jon Frisch argues that the public perception of Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon stems from one key difference. Both players have missed several games for the Angels in the last five years due to injuries, but fans have shown love to one, Trout, while the other, Rendon, received the opposite.

Both sluggers signed huge contracts with the Angels. Trout signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract in 2019, while Rendon penned a seven-year, $245 million contract the same year.

Frisch broke down the difference in fan perception of Trout and Rendon on Monday's episode of the "Locked on Angels" podcast.

"Every time he gets hurt, or every time he hasn't been able to be there, he's at least displayed to us and shown us the emotion behind it that he hates it," Frisch said (Timestamp: 22:05). "He hates being out. He wants to be there with the guys. He wants to play this game."

"And isn't that the difference here? At least you can have empathy and even sympathy for Mike Trout."Frisch said. "And with Rendon over the last couple years, any credibility, any empathy or what have you has slowly slipped away, and that's a shame, really."

ESPN's Alden Gonzalez reported on Thursday that Rendon will likely retire. According to ESPN's sources, the Angels and Rendon are in talks to buy out the final year of his seven-year, $245 million contract.

Anthony Rendon's ex-teammate reacts to his retirement news

Retired MLB outfielder Kevin Pillar played for the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels in 2024. Pillar appeared on Thursday's episode of "Foul Territory" and shared what he knew about Anthony Rendon, having been his teammate for a short period.

"I think Anthony Rendone is one of the most misunderstood players,maybe of all time," Pillar said (Timestamp: 1:04). And he's very outspoken in his beliefs, but he's not saying anything that most, I wouldn't say most, that some other players aren't saying."

"People forget that baseball, to a lot of us, yes, we do love it, and we're passionate about it, but at the end of the day it is a job," he added. And the joy for a lot of people, when you get to the major leagues, some of it is taken away from you. I felt it towards the end of my career."

The retired slugger said both Anthony Rendon and the Angels will benefit from the retirement. Rendon will have ample time to spend with his family and church, while the Angels will have payroll flexibility.