Trout Testifies: Alerts About Kay Before Skaggs’ Death, MLB in Trial

In a revealing testimony, Mike Trout, outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels, testified in court about concerns related to the team’s former communications director, Eric Kay, before the tragic death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

Mike Trout’s Testimony

Trout revealed that a team employee alerted him to potential drug abuse issues by Kay. The player directly confronted Kay, urging him to “do the right thing.” This testimony is a crucial step in the court case, as it could demonstrate that Kay’s behavior justified intervention by the team before he provided the drugs that caused Skaggs’ death. The Skaggs family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Angels, demanding compensation of $118 million. They allege that the team violated its own rules by allowing Kay to remain in his position despite the risks associated with his drug use. In contrast to Trout’s testimony, other team officials, such as Tim Mead and Tom Taylor, stated that they were unaware of Kay’s drug problems. The Skaggs family’s lawyer plans to call Kay’s wife to testify, whose testimony contradicts the statements of Taylor and Mead.

“He put Skaggs directly in danger”

Shawn Holley, Skaggs family lawyer

The Angels’ lawyer, Todd Theodora, argued that the team is not responsible for Kay and Skaggs’ actions outside of working hours. Theodora stated that it was Skaggs who “decided to obtain the illicit pills and take the illicit drugs along with alcohol the night of his death”. Trout testified that he saw Skaggs consume alcohol, but not drugs, and that he was unaware of drug use by other teammates. Trout recalled having limited Kay’s ability to obtain autographs, concerned about their possible misuse. Before confronting Kay, Trout proposed various actions in exchange for money, which illustrates Kay’s desperation. Trout stopped offering him money when a club assistant suggested that Kay might be using the money to buy drugs. Trout was emotional when remembering the last meeting with Skaggs and the impact of his death on the team. The mother and widow of Skaggs were present in the courtroom.