Former Angels Pitcher Testifies on Skaggs’ Drug Use in Court

UPDATE: In a dramatic courtroom revelation, former Los Angeles Angels pitcher Mike Morin testified today that he and the late Tyler Skaggs were secretive about their drug use, claiming only they and team employee Eric Kay knew about the illicit pills during the 2017 season. This testimony is part of the ongoing wrongful death case brought by Skaggs’ family against the Angels, with critical implications for accountability.

Morin’s statements, delivered in Santa Ana, California, directly challenge the Angels’ claims of ignorance regarding Skaggs’ drug use. He asserted that he never disclosed his activities to anyone, including his family, acknowledging he was aware his actions were illegal. “I think that he wanted to not have a bunch of people know what he was doing,” Morin said, reflecting on Skaggs’ desire for privacy.

When questioned about Skaggs’ choices leading to his tragic death from an accidental drug overdose in 2019, Morin paused before affirming, “I think that he is responsible for his actions.” This crucial admission supports the Angels’ defense, which contends that Skaggs’ reckless decisions were to blame for his fate.

The Angels maintain they were unaware of Skaggs’ struggles with addiction and that Kay’s distribution of drugs to players was hidden from them. However, the Skaggs family’s legal team argues that the Angels put Skaggs at risk by continuing to employ Kay despite knowing of his drug use. Kay is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for providing Skaggs with a fatal fentanyl-laced pill.

Morin recounted how he and Skaggs would use blue, 30-milligram oxycodone pills, referred to as “blue boys,” in clandestine settings, such as the clubhouse bathroom. He described a troubling scenario where they crushed pills and snorted them in a manner reminiscent of his school days. “I had no idea Eric Kay was doing what he was doing,” he remarked, emphasizing his naivety about the dangers of illicit substances.

The testimony continued to unveil the secretive nature of drug use among players, as Morin explained the discreet methods of obtaining pills, including exchanging cash for drugs in their lockers. He admitted to receiving pills from Kay between five to eight times during that season, yet believed they were safe and legitimate medications.

“I was completely unaware in a very naïve way that a prescription pill could be tainted,” Morin stated, revealing the tragic misunderstandings that contributed to Skaggs’ death.

Morin’s emotional account also highlighted the immense pressures faced by professional athletes to perform at high levels, often leading them to make dangerous choices. “I am 100 percent embarrassed to sit here and say this is what I did,” he expressed, taking ownership of his past actions.

This testimony follows closely on the heels of statements made by Skaggs’ mother, Debbie Hetman, who clarified that she never informed the Angels about her son’s previous addiction to Percocet. She testified that while she did not believe he was addicted in 2013, she would have disclosed information had the team inquired.

The trial is set to continue tomorrow, with expert witnesses expected to provide insights into Skaggs’ potential earnings had he continued his career, further complicating the narrative surrounding his tragic death.

This ongoing case not only addresses the legal responsibilities of the Angels but also shines a light on the hidden struggles of athletes dealing with substance abuse. As the trial unfolds, more revelations may emerge that could reshape public understanding of the pressures athletes face.