Mike Trout, the Los Angeles Angels’ celebrated superstar, is providing critical testimony in a legal case that is evaluating whether the team should be held responsible for the fatal drug overdose of pitcher Tyler Skaggs in 2019. During his appearance in court in Santa Ana, California, Trout detailed his experiences with the team’s former communications director, Eric Kay, who was later implicated in Skaggs’ death. Kay, now serving a 22-year prison sentence, was found to have supplied Skaggs with fentanyl-laced oxycodone, which he consumed along with alcohol, resulting in his tragic passing. Trout recounted how players would pay Kay for bizarre stunts, prompting him to suspect that the funds might be misused for illicit purposes. He expressed concern about these transactions, stating he would not sign autographs for Kay unless he knew the recipients, fearing they could be sold for drug money.
Trout emphasized that he had no knowledge of Kay supplying drugs to Skaggs, indicating he had only observed Skaggs using marijuana and drinking alcohol. The Skaggs family’s wrongful death lawsuit seeks over $118 million in damages for lost earnings, pain and suffering, and punitive measures against the team. Additional players, including former Angels pitcher Wade Miley, who currently plays for the Cincinnati Reds, are also expected to testify in what is anticipated to be a prolonged trial. Miley was previously named by Skaggs’ agent as a potential drug supplier. Former Mets pitcher Matt Harvey also admitted during Kay’s trial that he had provided drugs to Skaggs, with several other team members, including C.J. Cron and Cam Bedrosian, confirming similar instances. The Angels argue that Skaggs’ drug use occurred outside of team supervision, but the case continues to explore the team’s potential liability.
This trial has sparked significant legal and ethical discussions about the responsibilities of sports teams in addressing drug use among athletes. The outcome could set a precedent for similar cases in the future, highlighting the complexities of accountability in the sports industry. As the trial unfolds, it remains a focal point for both legal experts and sports enthusiasts, emphasizing the ongoing challenges of ensuring safety and ethical standards within professional sports environments.