ANGELS EMPLOYEE GAVE SKAGGS DRUGS
ESPN reports a PR specialist told the DEA he provided opioids to Tyler Skaggs, the Los Angeles pitcher who died of an overdose during the season.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels say they don’t know whether a longtime public relations official had been providing drugs to late pitcher Tyler Skaggs, as detailed in a report Saturday on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines.”
Eric Kay, a 24-year employee of the Angels’ PR department, told the Drug Enforcement Agency he had provided opioids to Skaggs and used them with the pitcher for years, according to ESPN. Kay reportedly watched as Skaggs snorted three lines of crushed pills in his hotel room in Southlake, Texas, on the night before he was found dead.
Kay also told the DEA he believes several other Angels players used opioids, ESPN reported.
“We have never heard that any employee was providing illegal narcotics to any player, or that any player was seeking illegal narcotics,” Angels President John Carpino said in a statement. “The Angels maintain a strict, zero tolerance policy regarding the illicit use of drugs for both players and staff. Every one of our players must also abide by the MLB Joint Drug Agreement. We continue to mourn the loss of Tyler and fully cooperate with the authorities as they continue their investigation.”
Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room July 1 before the start of a series against the Texas Rangers. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office said the 27-year-old died after choking on his vomit with a toxic mix of alcohol and the painkillers fentanyl and oxycodone in his body.
Kay has been on administrative leave from the Angels since July, and ESPN reported he is undergoing outpatient drug treatment.
FREESE RETIRES: David Freese, 36, retired Saturday after an 11-year career in the majors in which he shone brightest in the postseason, winning a World Series title with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011 when he was MVP. He was a career .277 hitter and even better in the postseason, with a .299 average.
CARDINALS: Marcell Ozuna had a long fly out in Game 1 that seemed not to travel as far as the same ball might have on a warmer night. Asked about the fly ball, manager Mike Shildt said he was informed by “our front office analytical group” that the ball was traveling about four and a half feet less than normal.