Trout: WBC made me think how badly Angels need to make playoffs

Mike Trout got his first taste of a postseason atmosphere in a long time playing for the United States at the World Baseball Classic, which reminded him how badly he wants to get back to the playoffs with the Los Angeles Angels.

"As soon as (the WBC) was over, on the bus headed back, I texted (Phil Nevin). I said, 'I needed this. I needed to play in this atmosphere. I needed to experience it and be in the moment.' It just made me think about how bad we want to get back to the playoffs," the three-time MVP said, according to The Athletic's Sam Blum.

Trout captained the United States to a silver medal finish at the WBC, which included an epic final against Japan and Angels teammate Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani struck out Trout to secure the final out of the gold medal game.

Following the tournament, Trout said he "had the time of his life" and looked forward to doing it again in 2026.

The Angels have been to the postseason once during Trout's tenure, losing in the 2014 American League Division Series to the Kansas City Royals.

The club's lack of success has been perplexing, considering high payrolls while fielding star-studded teams featuring the likes of Trout, Ohtani, Albert Pujols, and others.