By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The press conference to announce superstar Mike Trout's 10-year, $363.5 million extension with the Los Angeles Angels — to begin in 2021 — was held Sunday at Angel Stadium.
Trout was emotional at the press conference — in which fans were invited to attend — as he thanked his family, the Angels organization and fans. Since signing the record contract, Trout has said playing with the Angels is "where he wanted to be all along."
"I have enjoyed my time as an Angel and look forward to representing the organization, my teammates and our fans for years to come," Trout said in a released statement on Wednesday.
Sunday was no different.
👀 Mike Trout booed by Angels fans when he mentions “Philly” says coming to Phillies did NOT cross his mind:
“a lot of talk about going back east, going back to Philly… It never crossed my mind. I was going to be an Angel for life"
📸@foxsportswest#MikeTrout#Phillies pic.twitter.com/e15EOQhhgz
— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) March 24, 2019
When Bryce Harper signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in early March, he wasted no time to campaign for the two-time MVP, seven-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger Award winner to sign with the Phillies when his current contract expires in a couple seasons.
The Angels organization took no liking to Harper's comments, contacting MLB about tampering. The speculation became a hot topic of discussion throughout the league, but, according to Trout on Sunday, it "never crossed" his mind of leaving Los Angeles.
"Obviously [there was] a lot of talk about going back east and back to Philly. I enjoy every minute being here; this is my home. I love it.
A lot of things went into [my decision]. I think the direction of the franchise was big for me; I think if it was going the other way, I would have had to consider going, but it never crossed my mind that I was going to be an Angel for life, for sure."
The Angels have qualified for the postseason just once thus far over Trout's eight-year career; they were swept by the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 American League Division Series, with Trout collecting just one hit (a solo home run) over 15 plate appearances. The Angels have finished under .500 in three straight seasons, including a fourth-place finish in 2018 and 2016.
In 2019, the Angels will feature former Phillie, Justin Bour, as their starting first baseman. Declining 18-year veteran Albert Pujols will be their everyday designated hitter. Pujols is owed $28 million in 2019, $29 million in 2020 and $30 million in 2021, followed by a "10-year, $10 million personal-services contract," according to Baseball-Reference.
The Angels surely have a ways to go, but hopefully Trout does see his envisioned window of success in the future, as he verbalized in his Sunday press conference.
