ANAHEIM, CA — Tyler Skaggs, a regular starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, died Monday in Texas. He was 27. Skaggs was found unconscious in a Hilton hotel room Monday afternoon, according to officials.
Emergency responders declared him dead at the scene at just after 2 p.m., Southlake Police said. Officials do not suspect foul play or suicide, according to reports. An ongoing investigation is still underway.
Monday night’s game was postponed until August, and grief counselors were made available to team personnel, many of whom were on their way to the field when Skaggs was discovered.
Angels management announced that the team would resume play, Tuesdaynight at 5:05 p.m., in honor of Skaggs.
Nicknamed “Swaggy,” Skaggs, grew up in Woodland Hills, played baseball at Santa Monica High School, before he made his way to professional baseball. The Angels drafted him in 2009. He made his major league debut in August 2012. A left-handed pitcher, he underwent “Tommy John” surgery in 2014 after suffering an ulnar collateral ligament tear in his elbow.
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He is survived by his wife, Carli, whom he married in December of 2018. They had no children.
A memorial has taken shape outside of the Angels stadium in Orange County as fans pay their respects to their fallen player. An outpouring of thoughts and prayers drifted in over social media as fans and friends learned the news of Skaggs’ passing.
A media spokesperson said Skaggs was and always will be an “important part of the Angels family.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Carli and his entire family during this devastating time,” the spokesperson said.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred shared his sorrow with the team.
“I am deeply saddened by today’s tragedy in Texas. All of us at Major League Baseball extend our deepest condolences to Tyler’s wife Carli, their family, their friends and all of his Angels’ teammates and colleagues,” Manfred said. “We will support the Angels’ organization through this most difficult period, and we will make a variety of resources available to Tyler’s teammates and other members of the baseball family.”
The Texas Rangers also released a statement on Skaggs’ death.
“The thoughts and prayers of every member of the Texas Rangers and all of their fans are with the Angels organization at this difficult time,” a spokesperson said.
Gone too soon, Skaggs was one of the most popular players in the clubhouse and one of the Angels’ most reliable pitchers this season, going 7-7 with a 4.29 ERA in 79 2/3 innings across 15 starts. He was 28-38 with a 4.41 ERA during his seven- year career.
Tragedy in the Angels clubhouse…
The Angels have known their share of tragedy over the years, and Skaggs’ death is added to the list. Ten years ago, in the pre-season, 22-year-old pitcher Nick Adenhart and two friends were killed by a drunk driver, only hours after Adenhart threw the best game of his career.
In the 1970s, infielders Chico Ruiz and Mike Miley and pitcher Bruce Heinbechner were killed in separate auto accidents, pitcher Minnie Rojas was paralyzed in a car crash and outfielder Lyman Bostock was killed in a drive-by shooting while riding in a car with friends in Gary, Indiana.
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