Mike Trout had quite a birthday...powdered head and all (VIDEO)

There are a lot of things Mike Trout does really well, hitting home runs, throwing out runners and, apparently, letting himself be part of a locker room gag.

And on his 24th birthday Friday, the reigning AL and All-Star MVP did all three.

First, the Angels star was treated to a pre-game birthday cake — in the form of powder and a cracked egg on top of his head — by teammate Albert Pujols (probably the only one with enough clubhouse clout who could get away with it). Kole Calhoun captured the shenanigans:

With no candles to blow out, Trout just treated himself to a home run for the third time on his birthday — a 423-foot shot that the slugger will probably re-gift to opposing teams in the future.

Then two innings later, threw out Adam Jones at second base with laser shot from the outfield wall before the Angels went on to beat the Orioles 8-4.

Quite a night.



The Angels might want to start celebrating every player's birthday by dumping cake mix onto their head. Blowing out the candles is overrated anyway.

Mike Trout sparks bench-clearing discussion between Angels and Royals (VIDEO)

Tempers flared, benches cleared and things were discussed during the Angels-Royals game Sunday after Yordan Ventura confronted Mike Trout as the Los Angeles slugger slid into home plate and shouted something the Kansas City pitcher apparently didn't like.

Even with Ventura dominating the Angels 7-1 on the mound, the lanky 180-pound pitcher got things started by staring down the muscular 235-pound Trout as the slugger stood on first base.

Albert Pujols then doubled, driving in Trout — and that's when things really got testy. The pitcher confronted Trout and had to be pulled away as both benches and bullpens emptied.

After order was restored, Pujols tried to steal third and was thrown out easily. Ventura was later removed because of a muscle cramp in his thigh.

Or more likely one in his mouth.

David Ortiz and Albert Pujols have adorable battle at first base (VIDEO)

When you think of David Ortiz and Albert Pujols, the first things that comes to mind are probably home runs and championships.

The last thing you would think of is the two future Hall of Famers fighting each other at first base.

And you would be right … sort of.

On Wednesday night, the two sluggers had a playful battle with each other while meeting up at the corner a couple of times.

After David Ortiz slid back into the first base bag, Pujols rapped him on the head with his glove. So Ortiz responded the only way possible: with a soothing back massage. 

The boys have another play date set up for Thursday afternoon, so expect more antics at Fenway.

Posada making return to Yankee Stadium sooner than expected

New York Yankees fans who never got a chance to wish former-Yankees catcher Jorge Posada a final "Hip Hip Jorge!" will get a chance to do just that— only sooner than expected.

Tomorrow, Posada will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Bronx Bombers' home opener at Yankee Stadium.  This makes it Posada's 17th straight appearance at a home opener on the field— only this time he will not be in a uniform.

The team will welcome back the only member of the Core Four still not with the team after spending his entire 16-year career in pinstripes.

"I think it's going to be all kind of emotional, knowing Jorge," said his longtime teammate Mariano Rivera. "At the same time, he'll be happy.  We'll be happy.  I will be happy to see him."

The borderline Hall of Fame catcher will be on the mound and toss the first pitch before the Yankees host Albert Pujols and the Los Angeles Angels at 1:05 pm on Friday.  The pre-game festivities start at 12:40.

Posada, 40, will feted Thursday night with the "Pride of the Yankees Award" at the team's 2012 Homecoming Dinner.  Surprisingly, Posada will be only the 11th former Yankees player to do the honor including Mike Mussina, Bernie Williams, Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, Whitey Ford, Phil Rizzuto, Mel Stottlemyre, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Bob Shawkey.

Posada's appearance so soon after retiring is kind of a surprise.  Most players usually wait a couple of years before making a grand re-entrance and most insiders thought Posada would go that route.

Derek Jeter Is Most Popular Male Athlete Despite Recent Bad Publicity

Derek Jeter was voted the "Most Popular Male Athlete" according to a just-released Harris Poll.  The New York Yankees shortstop is perched at the top spot for the first time, replacing Kobe Bryant who held the title last year.

Jeter's rise from the No. 3 spot in 2010 to the No. 1 position wasn't influenced too much by his highly-publicized quest for his milestone 3,000th hit because the poll of 2,163 participants were contacted during the week of June 13-20, when Jeter was on the disabled list.

Peyton Manning moved up from No. 5 to the second spot.  The face of the NFL also endorses half a dozen prominent products and his mug is seen on plenty of TV commercials.  The Indianapolis Colts quarterback had a popular faux '70's movie trailer, co-starring his brother Eli, flooding the Internet about the same time of the poll.

Even the NFL lockout couldn't dim the ubiquitous football star's popularity.  He was the most popular athlete polled by Gen-X (ages 35-46).

Michael Jordan, whose final NBA game was eight years ago, still tied for third place with Los Angeles Laker Bryant.  Jordan was the most popular athlete from 1993-2005, when the title was handed over to golfer Tiger Woods.

Surprisingly,  Woods was the most popular this year with the "matures" (ages 66+) according to the Harris Group.  He was number one from 2006-2009.  Still, the shamed and slumping golfer had the biggest drop in the top-ten.

"As his playing woes continue, it is likely that his (Woods) fall will continue next year", said a Harris representative.

Even so, Woods marketing team has to be happy.

Bryant was the most popular among Hispanic and African-Americans in the Harris Poll.

Jeter was big among the Baby Boomers (ages 47-65) even though the The Captain has been in the news a lot lately-- and not for all the most popular reasons.

Jeter's quest for the 3,000 Hit Club was accomplished in grand style last week after he went 5-for-5 and bashed the historic hit into the centerfield stands.  The home run ball was caught by a fan, Christian Lopez, who was immediately whisked out of his seat by Yankees personnel, who--many believe-- overwhelmed the young man into turning the ball over to Jeter for a mere pittance.  Now Lopez is stuck with a whopping income tax bill to cover the season tickets he got as a reward.  Now,  even Yankees fans say that Jeter should foot the IRS bill in exchange for the ball.

After that controversy,  Jeter skipped out on the All-Star Game he was elected to; citing his recovery from a strained calf and preparing for the wear-and-tear of the second half of the season as his reasons.  Many fans didn't think he deserved to be in the Mid-summer Classic in the first place.  He spent the break in Miami with his girlfriend actress Minka Kelly.

Noticeably absent from the Top Ten is Lebron James.  King James "Decision" last summer seems to have turned off more than only Cleveland fans.  James was No. 6 last year.

Besides Woods, another bad boy made the list.  Hines Ward tied with Albert Pujols at the seventh position.  The Pittsburgh Steeler was arrested a couple of weeks ago--after the poll was taken-- for suspicion of DUI.  Ward's "Dancing With the Stars" victory probably pulled in a lot of the ladies' votes, but apparently not as many as Manning.  The QB was the most popular athlete among the women polled.

First timers to the Top Ten included Ward, Pujols, Derrick Rose and Aaron Rodgers.

The top three female athletes were at No. 1, tennis-star Serena Williams followed by her sister Venus and race car driver Danica Patrick.