“Not a whole lot of other people that can fully understand” - Tyler Skaggs' ex-teammate opens up with heartbreaking confession about drug use

New details have emerged in the wrongful death trial of former LA Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs from his ex-teammate Mike Morin. On Tuesday, Morin testified about hiding their drug use from the team, as well as former communications director Eric Kay’s involvement in it.

Morin revealed that during his last season with the Angels (2014-2017), Skaggs introduced him to Kay, who later gave him the drug “blue boys.” It’s a term used to define blue, 30-milligram oxycodone pills that Morin and Skaggs used to take in the clubhouse bathroom.

Morin started taking the pills following an arm injury during his last season with LA, and had five to eight dealings with Kay. The routine was to drop the pills in Morin’s locker, and Kay would later pick the money from there.

During direct examination by the Skaggs' attorney, Leah Graham, Morin shared that the pressure that comes with pitching in the majors played a part in his acquiring drugs from Kay.

"It’s impossible for anyone to understand what it’s like to play at the MLB level," Mike Morin said in tears, per The Athletic. "Only people that get it are in the same room. It’s immense highs and immense lows. What it feels like to devote your life to something and fail, yeah, there’s not a whole lot of other people that can fully understand what it takes to get there and to stay there."

Kay is currently serving 22 years in prison after being found guilty of the distribution of controlled substances, leading to the death of Tyler Skaggs in 2019. Skaggs was found dead in a Southlake, Texas hotel room, where the team was set to play a four-game series against the Texas Rangers.

Tyler Skaggs' family demands compensation from Angels for untimely death of pitcher

Tyler Skaggs' wife, Carli, revealed that she didn’t know her husband was using drugs during his stint with the Los Angeles Angels. Skaggs had a history of addiction to Percocet, which was known to his family.

Skaggs' mother also reported that had the team asked about his health and previous addiction history, they would have told them that. The pitcher developed an addiction to Percocet in 2010 when he was a part of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Carli knew his addiction history, and the couple even participated in smoking marijuana, but stopped as they planned to start a family. The family is currently seeking $118M in compensation for Skaggs’ lost earrings, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

The Angels have argued that the player took the drugs during his private time, and they are not responsible for his death. His former teammate, Mike Morin, also noted that Skaggs is responsible for his own actions. Morin said the main reason for his testifying is to throw light on the overuse of drugs and make sure such an incident doesn’t happen again.

Edited by Brad Taningco