Angels superstar Mike Trout delivered emotional testimony in the Tyler Skaggs wrongful death trial, stating he loved his late teammate like a brother and was unaware of Skaggs’ extensive drug use or former communications director Eric Kay supplying opioids, raising critical questions about organizational responsibility and player welfare.
The civil wrongful death trial stemming from the tragic overdose of former Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs took a pivotal turn this week with emotional testimony from his close friend and teammate, Mike Trout. The three-time American League Most Valuable Player, known for his reserved demeanor, appeared uncomfortable under oath but offered heartfelt insights into his relationship with Skaggs and his limited awareness of the dark struggles unfolding behind the scenes of their shared baseball dream.
Trout’s testimony is a critical piece in a lawsuit filed by Skaggs’ widow, Carli, and his parents, who allege that the Los Angeles Angels organization bears responsibility for its former communications director, Eric Kay, providing Skaggs with a fentanyl-laced oxycodone pill that ultimately led to his death in 2019. The Angels, conversely, maintain that Skaggs’ drug use and actions occurred on his own time and in private, absolving the team of liability.
A Brotherhood Forged in Baseball
Mike Trout recounted his deep friendship with Tyler Skaggs, dating back to their rookie years in 2009 when they were drafted out of high school and roomed together in a host family’s basement while playing rookie ball in Iowa. Trout described Skaggs as “very funny, outgoing, fun to be around,” often taking on the role of the team’s DJ, toting a boom box wherever he went.
Their bond extended beyond the clubhouse. They spent time together off the field, attending Los Angeles Lakers games – a team Skaggs “loved” – and even engaging in friendly basketball rivalries, with Trout admitting Skaggs “had a better jump shot than me.” The two remained in touch even after Skaggs was briefly traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Trout was “excited” when Skaggs returned to the Angels in 2013, noting Skaggs’ “nasty” curveball which was “basically unhittable.”
Unseen Struggles and Growing Suspicions
Despite their close friendship, Trout testified that he never witnessed signs of drug use from Skaggs, aside from awareness of occasional alcohol consumption and “smoking weed.” He stated that when Skaggs died, the idea that drugs were the cause “didn’t enter my mind,” and he was “surprised” to later learn some teammates were using opioids. Trout also revealed he was unaware that Eric Kay was allegedly supplying these substances to his teammates.
However, Trout did recall growing suspicions about Kay. He described Kay as “hyper” and “wired,” often seen with a Red Bull in hand, leading Trout to think, “he was using something. I didn’t know what it was.” Trout even approached Kay, offering support and telling him, “If you basically need anything let me know.”
The court heard about peculiar “horseplay” in the clubhouse, where players would pay Kay for stunts like taking a 90 mph fastball to the leg, shaving his eyebrows, or eating a pimple off Trout’s back – an antic Trout sheepishly admitted he was “not proud of.” A turning point came when a clubhouse attendant warned Trout that the money players were giving Kay might be “going to bad people,” prompting Trout to ensure any autographed merchandise he signed for Kay went to its intended place, wary it might be sold to fund a drug habit.
The Trial’s Core: Accountability and Negligence
The civil trial aims to determine if the Angels organization should be held accountable for Skaggs’ death. The plaintiffs contend the team made a series of reckless decisions by allowing Eric Kay access to MLB players despite his known addiction and drug dealing. Kay was convicted in 2022 of providing Skaggs with the fatal fentanyl-laced pill and was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison, as reported by CBSNews. His criminal trial featured testimony from five MLB players who admitted receiving oxycodone from Kay between 2017 and 2019.
Key figures testifying include:
- Mike Trout: Skaggs’ teammate and close friend, denying knowledge of opioid use.
- Carli Skaggs: Tyler’s widow, who testified she was unaware of the extent of her husband’s drug use and that he felt pressure to stay healthy for his career.
- Matt Harvey: Former pitcher and teammate who admitted receiving drugs from Kay, stating, “In baseball, you do everything you can to stay on the field.”
- Tom Taylor: Angels traveling secretary, who testified about seeing Kay acting bizarrely and being alerted to Kay witnessing Skaggs chopping up pills the night before his death.
- Wade Miley: Former Angels pitcher (currently with the Cincinnati Reds), also expected to testify.
This testimony paints a picture of a clubhouse culture where illicit drug use, particularly opioids, was present, raising questions about what the Angels organization knew or should have known. The family is seeking a substantial $118 million in damages for Skaggs’ lost earnings, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
MLB’s Response and Future Implications
Tyler Skaggs’ death, attributed to a toxic mix of alcohol, fentanyl, and oxycodone, was a devastating event that shook Major League Baseball. In its wake, MLB reached a pivotal agreement with the MLB Players Association to implement mandatory testing for opioids and refer players who test positive to a treatment board, a policy change that league Commissioner Rob Manfred acknowledged was directly motivated by Skaggs’ tragedy, as reported by ESPN.
Trout’s emotional recount of the tribute game after Skaggs’ passing—where the team all wore Skaggs’ No. 45 jersey, his mother threw a strike for the first pitch, and Trout hit a home run feeling Skaggs’ presence—underscores the profound impact of this loss. His testimony not only highlights the personal grief experienced by those close to Skaggs but also brings to light the ongoing challenges sports organizations face in addressing player welfare and combating substance abuse, issues that extend far beyond the baseball diamond.
