Testimony Reveals Secrets of Drug Use in Tyler Skaggs Case

UPDATE: Testimony in the wrongful death case of Tyler Skaggs is unfolding in Santa Ana, California, as former Angels pitcher Mike Morin reveals shocking details about the secretive drug use among players. Morin testified that he, Skaggs, and Eric Kay, a team communications employee, were the only ones aware of their illicit drug activities during the 2017 season.

This revelation comes as the Skaggs family seeks accountability from the Los Angeles Angels for the overdose death of Skaggs in 2019, which they attribute to the team’s negligence regarding Kay’s drug distribution. Morin emphasized that he kept his drug use hidden from his family, acknowledging the illegal nature of their actions.

In a gripping moment, Morin stated, “I think that he wanted to not have a bunch of people know what he was doing.” He further confirmed, after a lengthy pause, that Skaggs bore responsibility for his decisions the night he died, indicating that the Angels were not at fault. This assertion is crucial for the team, which maintains it had no knowledge of Skaggs’ drug struggles or Kay’s illicit activities.

Kay, currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for providing Skaggs with a fatal fentanyl-laced pill, was described by Morin as a source of 30-milligram oxycodone pills, referred to as “blue boys.” Morin recounted instances where he and Skaggs would use pills in a discreet manner, even snorting them in the clubhouse bathroom. “I had no idea Eric Kay was doing what he was doing,” Morin claimed.

The trial, which continues today, has seen emotional testimonies, including one from Skaggs’ mother, Debbie Hetman, who said she did not disclose her son’s addiction to Angels officials in 2013, despite expressing a willingness to communicate had they asked. The defense is scrutinizing her earlier statements regarding Skaggs’ substance issues.

Morin’s candid testimony highlighted the immense pressures faced by professional athletes, stating, “I am 100 percent embarrassed to sit here and say this is what I did.” His insight into the culture of secrecy surrounding drug use in Major League Baseball raises critical questions about player welfare and team responsibility.

As the trial progresses, expert witnesses are expected to testify on the potential earnings Skaggs could have achieved had he lived, adding another layer of emotional weight to the proceedings. The situation continues to develop, with significant implications for the Angels and the broader sports community.

Stay tuned for updates as this high-profile case unfolds, shedding light on the complex issues of addiction and responsibility in professional sports.