Mike Trout Testifies in Tyler Skaggs Wrongful Death Trial

This past Tuesday, a visibly emotional Mike Trout took the stand in the wrongful death trial concerning the Angels organization. He discussed his awareness of team employee Eric Kaye’s drug issues, particularly in relation to his friend, Tyler Skaggs.

Skaggs tragically passed away from an overdose in Texas during a 2019 team trip, leading his family to file a lawsuit against the Angels for $118 million. They accuse Kaye of providing Skaggs with counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl.

During several hours of testimony at the Orange County Superior Court, Trout recounted how he came to realize Kaye had a substance abuse problem. Initially, this understanding arose when a clubhouse staffer advised players to stop giving Kaye, who was the team’s communications director, money for various stunts.

Trout observed that Kaye appeared to be “using something,” although he was uncertain about the specifics. Kaye would engage in quirky clubhouse antics, which raised red flags for some officials who feared the motivations behind his behavior might not be innocent.

“The first thing that came to my mind was drugs,” Trout admitted but was hesitant to specify which ones. He found Kaye’s behavior concerning, noting he often looked “sick,” sweat excessively, or appeared anxious.

At one point, Trout mentioned he offered to help Kaye but couldn’t recall exactly if he promised financial assistance for rehabilitation. “I told him to let me know if he needed anything,” Trout clarified.

As Trout began to suspect Kaye’s drug issues, he made a point to monitor the memorabilia he signed for Kaye, worried it might end up being sold for drug money. When prompted by jurors about when these suspicions arose, Trout replied simply, “Around the time Tyler died.”

The crux of the wrongful death lawsuit revolves around whether the Angels had knowledge of Kaye’s drug problems and failed to act accordingly. The family argues that the organization should have kept Kaye away from the team. The Angels, however, maintain they were unaware of Skaggs’ drug issues or Kaye’s distribution activities.

On July 1, 2019, Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room. According to the coroner’s report, he died from asphyxiation due to vomit, with a cocktail of alcohol, fentanyl, and oxycodone in his system.

In the civil trial, it was acknowledged by all sides that Kaye had supplied opioids to Skaggs and other players. Kaye was convicted in 2022 for providing Skaggs with counterfeit pills and is currently serving a 22-year sentence in federal prison.

Trout’s testimony also shed light on his bond with Skaggs, recalling their time together during Trout’s first professional season with the Angels’ affiliate in Cedar Rapids in 2010. He expressed deep sorrow over Skaggs’ passing, describing him as “very funny, outgoing, and fun to be around.”

They’d often share meals, watch football, and even play some pickup basketball together. Trout’s testimony followed that of Angels executives Tim Meade and Tom Taylor taking the stand in the civil proceedings.