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Mike Trout took the stand Tuesday in a Santa Ana, California, courtroom to testify in a trial about whether his Los Angeles Angels should be held responsible for the drug overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.
Skaggs died in 2019 after taking fentanyl-laced oxycodone, mixed with alcohol, supplied by the team’s former communications director, Eric Kay, who is serving 22 years in prison. Skaggs’ family has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Angels, saying the team knew of Kay’s drug history, which posed dangers.
Trout testified that players would pay Kay for bizarre stunts, which caused Trout to raise an eyebrow. At one point, a club manager suggested the players should stop, Trout said, because Kay might be using the money for a “bad purpose,” which Trout said he immediately assumed was drugs.
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Close-up of Tyler Skaggs’ number 45 badge worn by Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Mike Trout during the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. (Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports)
Trout said he would not sign Kay’s requested autographs unless he knew who they were going to for fear they could be sold for money.
Trout said it was clear Kay was “wearing something.”
“I just didn’t know what it was,” Trout said.
The three-time MVP said he had only seen Skaggs smoke marijuana and drink alcohol, not thinking he was using other drugs.
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Mike Trout reacts during a press conference regarding the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs before a game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. (Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports)
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Skaggs’ family is seeking $118 million for Skaggs’ lost income, compensation for pain and suffering, and punitive damages against the team. In addition to Trout, other players, including former Angels pitcher Wade Miley, who currently plays for the Cincinnati Reds, could also testify in what is expected to be a week-long trial. Miley was named by Skaggs’ former agent, Ryan Hamil, in a deposition earlier this year as Skaggs’ drug supplier.
Former New York Mets ace Matt Harvey admitted during Kay’s trial that he had supplied drugs to Skaggs. The two were teammates on the Angels in the year of Skaggs’ death.
Harvey, CJ Cron, Mike Morin and Cam Bedrosian also told the court that Kay had provided them with drugs.
Tyler Skaggs of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches during the first inning of a game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 6, 2019, in Anaheim, California. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Skaggs was 27 years old when he was found in a hotel room in Southlake, Texas, before the Angels played the Texas Rangers.
