Testifying on Tuesday, Oct. 21, in the wrongful death lawsuit against former Angels communications director Eric Kay, Trout said he confronted Kay on one occasion, telling him, ‘You have two boys at home, and you have to get this right.’
Kay is accused of supplying drugs that resulted in pitcher Tyler Skaggs’ fatal overdose in a Texas hotel room. The Skaggs family is suing the Angels for $118 million in damages for allegedly knowing about Kay’s drug problem, but failing to take sufficient action.
Trout, a three-time AL MVP and 11-time All-Star, is the first Angels player to testify in the civil trial.
During his testimony, Trout discussed his memories of Skaggs and the players’ interactions with Kay, whose increasingly bizarre behavior appeared to raise red flags about his drug use. He said he made a point not to sign memorabilia for Kay unless he knew specifically where they were going out of concern Kay might be ‘misusing them’ –- inferring he might sell them to buy drugs.
Trout also said he was surprised to learn that Skaggs and other teammates were using illicit drugs or buying them from Kay.
Plaintiff’s attorney Shawn Holley claimed in her opening statement last week that the Angels put Skaggs ‘directly in harm’s way’ by not taking action.
The Angels say team officials were unaware of Skaggs’ drug use, and are not responsible for actions by Kay and Skaggs in their off time.
Kay is currently serving a 22-year federal prison sentence for providing the fentanyl-laced oxycodone that caused Skaggs’ death at the age of 27.