$430 Million Dollar Man

The Los Angeles Angels never had any intention of letting Mike Trout hit free agency following the 2020 season, and the massive contract extension they have reportedly agreed to with the star outfielder proves that.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Trout and the Angels are finalizing a 12-year contract that is worth an eye-popping $430 million. The deal is the largest for any player in professional sports history. Trout will be paid an average annual salary of around $36 million, which tops Zack Greinke’s previous record average of $34.4 million with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The total dollar value is $100 million greater than the 13-year, $330 million deal Bryce Harper just signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Trout’s new deal will add 10 additional years to the two he has remaining on the six-year, $144.5 million deal he previously signed.

The Angels have made the playoffs just once during Trout’s eight major league seasons, and there was some concern that he might consider leaving the team because of that. Harper had been openly recruiting him to Philadelphia, which is located fairly close to Trout’s hometown in New Jersey.

Trout is perennial MVP candidate and arguably the best player in baseball. The 27-year-old has a career batting average of .307, 240 career home runs, and a career OPS of .989.

***

underpaid?

June Jones in Canada (and Johnny Manziel)

[3/17/19] Manziel to play in AAF

[2/27/19] Manziel released by Montreal

[12/11/18] June Jones steps aside to allow Orlondo Steinauer to become head coach

[7/22/18] Manziel traded to Montreal

[6/16/18] Hamilton Tiger-Cats begin season with Manziel on the bench

***

[8/2/17] Former University of Hawaii head football coach June Jones has been named the assistant head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.

“It’ll be fun,” Jones told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser this morning.

Jones said he departs for Canada on Thursday night.

He will remain as the athletic director of development for Saint Louis School, a position he began in December.

Ryan Blangiardi, who was named associate athletic director two weeks ago, will continue to handle the day-to-day operations at Saint Louis.

Jones was UH’s head coach from 1999 through the Warriors’ 2008 Sugar Bowl appearance.

[8/24/17] June Jones promoted to head coach after three weeks on the job

[8/28/17] Art Briles to join Hamilton staff

[8/29/17] Art Briles will not be joining Hamilton staff

[8/29/17] Hamilton worked out Johnny Manziel (but it didn't work out)

[9/14/17] June Jones, 2-0

[12/28/17] CFL opens door for Johnny Manziel

[5/19/18] Johnny Manziel signs with Hamilton (and June Jones)

[5/26/18] Manziel is only the latest project for June Jones

MLB rule changes

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have reached an agreement on several rules changes that will be implemented over the next two seasons, the two organizations announced Thursday.

A single trade deadline, an All-Star game election day and a $1 million Home Run Derby prize will be introduced in 2019. The 2020 season will then bring a new roster structure designed to give more players a chance to shine, while lessening wear and tear on others. The much-talked-about three-batter minimum? It’s not coming this year, but it could in 2020.

Michelle Wie engaged

Michelle Wie is engaged!

On Sunday, the golfer, 29, announced that her boyfriend Jonnie West popped the question.

“My person for life!!!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ #WieGoesWestthis link opens in a new tab @jonniewest4” Wie captioned a slideshow of photos from the moment West — the son of former Lakers star Jerry West — proposed in San Francisco.

In the first photo, West, 30, can be seen smiling up at Wie while down on one knee.

In the next photo, both Wie and West smiled at the camera, with the golf star showing off her massive engagement ring by placing her hand over West’s shoulder.

For the last shot, the lovebirds shared a sweet embrace with a beautiful garden of pink and red flowers in the background.