In a pivotal civil trial, the Los Angeles Angels face accusations regarding the 2019 drug overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. The trial, held in Santa Ana, California, commenced with stark allegations made by the family of the late athlete.
Key Accusations Against the Angels
Tyler Skaggs’ family claims that the Angels should be held liable for his death due to negligence in enforcing their drug policies. According to their attorney, Shawn Holley, the organization exhibited a pattern of ignoring Eric Kay’s opioid addiction, who had access to players and distributed drugs, including fentanyl-laced pills, to them.
- Tyler Skaggs died at 27 due to an overdose in July 2019.
- Kay was convicted in 2022 of providing the lethal pill to Skaggs.
- Skaggs’ widow and mother were present during the trial proceedings.
- Plaintiffs are seeking $118 million in damages.
The Defense’s Position
Representing the Angels, attorney Todd Theodora argued that the team was unaware of Skaggs’ drug use. He stated that if the organization had known, they would have intervened. Theodora clarified that the team did not possess knowledge of Kay distributing drugs.
He further asserted that Skaggs was responsible for his choices, noting that he consumed alcohol along with narcotics on the night of his death. The evidence from the autopsy indicated Skaggs had a mix of alcohol, fentanyl, and oxycodone in his system.
Background on Tyler Skaggs
Tyler Skaggs had been a prominent pitcher for the Angels since 2016. Prior to that, he played for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Throughout his career, he grappled with injuries, impacting his performance on the field.
Details Surrounding the Overdose
The overdose occurred during an Angels trip to Texas. A coroner’s report found that Skaggs choked on his vomit after ingesting a toxic combination of substances. Kay’s own struggles with addiction were revealed when his wife discovered messages about his dealings with the players.
Implications for Major League Baseball
This tragic event has led to significant changes in MLB’s drug policies. After Skaggs’ death, the league instituted testing for opioids, alongside a program for treatment referrals for players who test positive for drugs.
Trial Developments
The trial is expected to last for several weeks, featuring testimonies from various players, including Angels’ star Mike Trout. The proceedings mark a crucial moment in addressing the responsibilities of sports teams concerning player health and wellbeing.
