Mike Trout Testifies in Skaggs Family Lawsuit

More than six years after the death of former Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, legal proceedings remain ongoing.

The criminal trial of Eric Kay ended in 2022 with a 22-year federal prison sentence. Kay, the communications director for the team, provided Skaggs and other players with hard drugs, including the oxycodone that killed Skaggs.

However, in June 2021, the Skaggs family brought a wrongful death lawsuit against the Angels, Eric Kay, and Tim Mead, vice president of communications for the team. The Skaggs family is allegedly seeking $118M.

Earlier this week, Angels superstar Mike Trout became the first player to testify in the civil trial.

Here’s what he said and why his testimony matters:

Wrongful Death Civil Lawsuit

In June 2021, Tyler’s wife Carli Skaggs brought a lawsuit against the Angels and team officials for wrongful death. The 16-page complaint alleges negligence against the Angels, Kay, and Mead, as well as negligent hiring, retention and supervision against the Angels.

The complaint incorporates reporting by ESPN reporter T.J. Quinn who, just three months after Skaggs’ death, “cited sources who told federal investigators that team officials knew of Skaggs’ drug use long before his death and Kay was selling drugs to other players.”

Therefore, a major component to the lawsuit is how much, if at all, the Angels knew about Kay using drugs, players using drugs, and the fact that Kay was providing players with illegal drugs.