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After 18 months of negotiations and planning, Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels visit Smith's Ballpark on Tuesday for an exhibition game against Triple-A affiliate Salt Lake.
"It's something we've always wanted to do," Bees' general manager Marc Amicone. "The time frame for the big club is limited — getting here at the end of spring training. … But we were able to get it worked out."
The Angels will bring a split squad to Utah for the exhibition, which starts at 4:05 p.m.
Amicone said the game is "pretty much sold out," although a handful of tickets remain and general admission for the outfield berm will likely be available.
The Angels announced the list of players who will come to Salt Lake on Monday afternoon.
The group includes Trout, starting right fielder Kole Calhoun and former University of Utah first baseman C.J. Cron. Veteran slugger Albert Pujols, who has hit 560 home runs in his career, will not make trip.
Trout, of course, is the top attraction.
After playing briefly in Salt Lake in 2012, he was called up by the Angels and his career skyrocketed. Even though he won't turn 25 until August, he is a four-time All-Star. He was the 2014 American League Most Valuable Player.
Trout owns a career batting average of .304 and is one of the top defensive outfielders in baseball.
L.A. will charter into Salt Lake on Tuesday morning, go directly to the park, eat a pregame meal and hold batting practice, according to Amicone.
"Pretty much a normal routine, once they get here," he said.
After the game, the Angels will charter back to Phoenix for the completion of spring training. They open the regular season April 4 in Anaheim against the Chicago Cubs.
Their next order of business, however, is the exhibition against the Bees. It is expected to be played on a cool, showery afternoon.
Still, the weather forecast hasn't dampen Amicone's enthusiasm.
"This is awesome," he said. "There's no better way to put it. It's great for us, our affiliation and our relationship with the Angels. It's been a great partnership for 15 years now — something we're very proud of."
L.A. will be the first Major League team to play in Salt Lake since 2013, when the Seattle Mariners and Colorado Rockies played an exhibition. Despite a homer run by the Rockies' Todd Helton, the Mariners prevailed, 4-3.
"This game is really good for baseball in our community, which we think is important," Amicone said. "That's part of our mission. We want to be good stewards of the game of baseball and I think this helps us be just that. … It's a great opportunity to showcase professional baseball."
The Bees open their Pacific Coast League season on April 7 at home against Sacramento.
After a one year absence, Keith Johnson will return as Salt Lake's manager. He guided the Bees for four seasons before spending last season as a roving infielder instructor major league player information coach for the Angels
Johnson, who makes his home in Salt Lake City, was the PCL Manager of the Year in 2013.
The Bees finished 58-86 last season, tying New Orleans for the worst record in the league.
"We're excited to have Keith back as our manager," Amicone said. "K.J. is a great baseball mind, developer of talent and a tremendous asset to the Bees and the Angels. With the roots he has in Salt Lake, he is also a great asset to our community."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Play ball!
P Los Angeles Angels vs. Salt Lake Bees
When • Tuesday, 4:05 p.m.
Where • Smith's Ballpark
Tickets • The game is close to sold out, but some general admission tickets remain.
Rainout policy for the game
If the Angels-Bees game is rained out, ticket holders can pursue two options:
• A 2-for-1 ticket value credit. Ticket holders can use the credit on all regular season games except those on July 2 and July 23.
• A full refund of ticket purchase. Rainout policy for the game
If the Angels-Bees game is rained out, ticket holders can pursue two options:
• A 2-for-1 ticket value credit. Ticket holders can use the credit on all regular season games except those on July 2 and July 23.
• A full refund of ticket purchase.