Mike Trout, the Los Angeles Angels superstar, expressed deep affection for his late teammate Tyler Skaggs during his testimony on Tuesday in a civil trial in California. Trout described his bond with Skaggs, stating he loved him “like a brother” and emphasized that he had not observed any indications of drug use prior to the pitcher’s overdose death in 2019.
The trial revolves around a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Skaggs’ wife, Carli, and his parents, against the Angels, alleging the organization is partly responsible for Skaggs’ death due to a series of reckless decisions involving Eric Kay, the team’s former communications director. Kay had provided Skaggs with a fentanyl-laced pill that ultimately led to his fatal overdose.
Trout recounted the beginnings of their friendship when both players were drafted by the Angels straight out of high school in 2009. He fondly remembered Skaggs as a lively and engaging teammate who contributed to the team’s camaraderie, even serving as the team’s DJ.
However, Trout also raised concerns regarding Kay’s behavior, noting that there were moments when Kay appeared unusually energetic and sweaty, which made him suspect drug use. Despite these observations, Trout admitted that he did not report his concerns to the Angels’ management. He had approached Kay with an offer of support, indicating a sense of loyalty and care for his teammate.
The trial follows Skaggs’ tragic passing at the age of 27, when he was found unresponsive in a Dallas hotel room. A coroner’s report indicated that Skaggs died from asphyxiation due to vomiting, with a toxicology report revealing a lethal mix of alcohol, fentanyl, and oxycodone in his system.
Kay, who was convicted in 2022 for supplying Skaggs with the counterfeit pill, received a sentence of 22 years in federal prison. The ongoing trial has seen testimony from several MLB players regarding their interactions with Kay and the drugs he provided.
Skaggs’ family is pursuing $118 million in damages, claiming both loss of income and emotional suffering, along with punitive damages against the Angels. The pitcher, who had been a consistent member of the Angels’ rotation since late 2016, had previously faced significant injuries during his career that impacted his playing time.
Notably, the aftermath of Skaggs’ death saw Major League Baseball enact new protocols, including testing for opioids and implementing referral programs for players who test positive. This reflects a growing awareness and commitment to address mental health and substance abuse issues within the sport.
As the trial progresses, it is expected that more players, including former Angels pitcher Wade Miley, will testify, shedding further light on the circumstances surrounding Skaggs’ tragic death. This case highlights not only the personal grief surrounding Skaggs’ loss but also the broader challenges facing athletes in addressing substance use and mental health within the competitive world of professional sports. The hope moving forward is for greater support systems to be established, ensuring the well-being of all players.