Angels in ‘utter shock’ after death of Skaggs
ARLINGTON, TEXAS >> Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room on Monday afternoon, just hours before the club was scheduled to face the
Texas Rangers.
The game was canceled just as the Angels released the shocking news at around 4 p.m. central time.
Skaggs, a product of Santa Monica High who had spent most of his 10year professional career in the Angels organization, was 27 years old.
Skaggs was discovered in his room at the team’s hotel in Southlake, which is about 20 minutes north of the ballpark in the DallasFort Worth area.
The Southlake police department announced that “at this time, no foul play is suspected.” The police also said suicide is not suspected.
The police responded at 2:18 p.m. to a call of an “un
conscious male” in a room at the hotel. Officers arrived and Skaggs was pronounced dead at the scene, the police said.
The first of two Angels buses was prepared to leave the team hotel for the ballpark at about 3 p.m. when traveling secretary Tom Taylor boarded the bus and delivered the news. Players remained at the hotel and the few players and staff members who had come to the ballpark early returned to the hotel.
“I’m in utter shock and disbelief,” general manager Billy Eppler said in a phone interview from Southern California, as he prepared to join the team in Texas. “It’s just a very tragic day for the Angels. It’s a very tragic day for his wife Carli, and his mother Debbie. His father, Dan . ... It’s just a tragic day for everybody. This young man touched a lot of peoples’ lives. I think you’re going to start to see the impact he’s had on people in the coming days.”
Skaggs and his wife, Carli, were just married in the past offseason. They did not have children.
Skaggs attended Santa Monica High, graduating in 2009. The Angels selected him that summer with the 40th overall pick in the draft. Mike Trout was selected in the same draft, and the two were briefly roommates during their first season as professionals.
“Words cannot express the deep sadness we feel right now,” Trout said in an Instagram post. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Carli and their families. Remembering him as a great teammate, friend, and person who will forever remain in our hearts ... We love you, 45.”
The Angels traded Skaggs to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010 and reacquired him in 2013. He was the most senior member of the pitching staff. Skaggs had a breakthrough in the first half of last season, pitching to a near AllStar level before injuries derailed the second half of his season.
Clearly, Skaggs was a favorite of many throughout the organization.
“Very well-liked among his teammates, the coaches the performance staff, the front office, ownership, everybody,” Eppler said. “The people who handle our food service and catering. Everybody enjoyed being around Tyler. He just had a very good way about him that was instilled from his upbringing.”
Broadcaster Mark Gubicza, who was on the bus when Taylor delivered the news, said the players were still reeling.
“It’s like it wasn’t real,” Gubicza said. “It hasn’t begun to sink in . ... He’s a baby. He’s a kid.”