When LA Angels star Mike Trout advocated for stringent punitive measures against PED users in baseball

In a New York radio interview in 2013, Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout expressed his opinion on performance-enhancing drugs in MLB. Trout said players caught taking PEDs should be kicked out of the league.

"I think MLB is definitely moving in the right direction with getting these guys," Trout said on "Boomer and Carton in the Morning" on WFAN. "For me personally, I think you should be out of the game if you get caught. It takes away from the guys that are working hard every day and doing it all-natural."

Trout continued:

"Some people are just trying to find that extra edge. It’s tough as a guy that goes out there and plays hard every day and puts 110-percent effort (in) every time. And then you wake up the next day and you see there’s a list of guys that are, you know, on the list. It’s good that MLB caught them and they are moving in the right direction with suspensions and stuff."

Doping has been a persistent problem in MLB. Illegal drugs have also made their way to the collegiate level after being used repeatedly by some of the most accomplished professional baseball players in MLB history.

Alex Rodriguez, Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire are three of the biggest names to have admitted to doping.

Mike Trout captained Team USA at the 2023 World Baseball Classic

Trout captained the United States in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He led his team to the final, where they were beaten by Team Japan.

Interestingly, Japan clinched the win after Trout was struck out by his LA Angels teammate Shohei Ohtani.

World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan

After the tournament, Trout took to Twitter to sum up his emotions.

"It’s hard to sum up into words what these last couple of weeks have meant to me. I had the time of my life representing that USA on my chest! The energy was electric and made the WBC a moment I’ll always cherish. So thank you all so much. It was an honor to be your captain."

Trout will now return to the Angels, who begin their season against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.