Angels in the Witness Stand

A civil trial pitting the Los Angeles Angels against the family and estate of deceased pitcher Tyler Skaggs has been ongoing since early October. At issue is the organization’s potential liability for Skaggs’ 2019 overdose death. In 2022, a jury convicted Eric Kay, a former Angels employee, of supplying Skaggs with the drugs that ultimately killed him. Skaggs’ family later filed suit against the Angels, alleging, among other things, that the organization was aware of Kay’s drug problem and that he was supplying drugs to players.

The witness list features numerous current and former MLB players. Three-time MVP Mike Trout testified for the Skaggs family that he was aware of Kay’s drug use and even confronted him about it. The Angels have just commenced their defense case, arguing that Skaggs’ addiction was well known to his teammates and family.

For the Angels, even a verdict in their favor would represent only a less-bad outcome. This tragic affair has now dragged on for more than six years, and the organization finds itself in a highly publicized trial with its star player testifying against it.