SANTA ANA, Calif. — In a recent civil trial, the family of late pitcher Tyler Skaggs claimed that the Los Angeles Angels failed to address signs of drug use by Eric Kay, the team’s communications director. This negligence, they argue, contributed to Skaggs’ tragic overdose death in 2019.
On one side, Skaggs’ attorney, Daniel Dutko, highlighted evidence showing that the Angels ignored multiple warnings about Kay’s drug problems. Kay reportedly had bags of pills at home and had previously been hospitalized for an overdose. Instead of taking action, they let him continue his role, giving him access to players, which Dutko described as a crucial oversight.
However, the Angels’ attorney, Todd Theodora, countered that the team was unaware of Skaggs’ struggles with painkillers. He claimed that Skaggs, rather than Kay, was the one seeking drugs. Theodora emphasized that players were concealing their substance use to protect their careers.
Skaggs was found dead in a Texas hotel room during a team trip, with a toxicology report revealing he had alcohol, fentanyl, and oxycodone in his system. Kay was convicted in 2022 for providing the fatal counterfeit pill and received a 22-year prison sentence.
Witnesses during the trial included notable figures like Angels outfielder Mike Trout and team president John Carpino. Some recalled Kay’s erratic behavior and incidents that raised red flags, while others pointed to a culture where players felt comfortable seeking drugs from Kay.
Sadly, Skaggs’ death spotlighted a broader issue in Major League Baseball. Following his passing, the league implemented new measures to test for opioids and offer help to players.
The Skaggs family is pursuing damages, claiming Tyler could have earned over $100 million had he not died. Experts estimate a more conservative figure of around $32 million from the team’s side.
This case raises important questions about the responsibility of sports organizations in preventing drug abuse. As conversations around player health continue, it’s clear that more needs to be done to protect athletes from the dangers of addiction.
For further information and updates on this case, refer to this report by ESPN.
