ANAHEIM (CNS) - The Los Angeles Angels will return to the field tonight in Texas while an investigation continues into the death of 27-year-old pitcher Tyler Skaggs.
Skaggs was found dead in a hotel room in Southlake, Texas, on Monday. Police said they do not suspect foul play or suicide.
The Angels will be wearing these black “45” patches on their jersey tonight and will continue to honor Tyler Skaggs this year. They’ll have him on their hearts. pic.twitter.com/gv8I16FSWL
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya)
July 2, 2019 Monday night's game between the Angels and the Texas Rangers was postponed until August. Tuesday night's game will be held as scheduled beginning at 5:05 p.m. California time. According to the Rangers, a moment of silence will be held prior to the game in memory of Skaggs.
Words cannot express the deep sadness we feel right now. 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. pic.twitter.com/zCO8Ne01Gy
— Mike Trout (@MikeTrout)
July 2, 2019 Several Angels players and some broadcasters were on a bus about to leave the Hilton hotel in Southlake for Globe Life Park Monday afternoon when news came that Skaggs had been found dead in his hotel room about 40 minutes earlier, hours before the opener of a four-game series with the Texas Rangers.
"Words cannot express the deep sadness we feel right now," Angels all-star outfielder Mike Trout tweeted. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Carli (Skaggs' wife) and their families. Remembering him as a great teammate, friend, and person who will forever remain in our hearts... we love you, 45."
Angels statement on the passing of Tyler Skaggs. pic.twitter.com/6XA2Vu1uWV
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels)
July 1, 2019 Grief counselors were made available to team personnel.
Skaggs was a native of Woodland Hills and a graduate of Santa Monica High School. He and his wife Carli were married in December. They had no children.
The Southlake Police Department issued a statement Monday, saying, "This afternoon at 2:18 p.m. the Southlake Police Department responded to a call of an unconscious male in a room in the Hilton Hotel. Officers arrived and found the male unresponsive and he was pronounced deceased at the scene."
Statement from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on Tyler Skaggs’ passing: pic.twitter.com/9wUQZntDmu
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya)
July 1, 2019 The statement said that "at this time, no foul play is suspected and the investigation is ongoing." A police department spokesperson quoted by the Los Angeles Times added that "suicide is not suspected."
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 a seven- year career that was interrupted by Tommy John surgery in 2014 and several other injuries.
I’m still in shock. Just yesterday, Tyler Skaggs was talking about how badly he wanted to pitch at Dodger Stadium in an Angels uniform. One of the kindest, most straightforward people I’ve met in baseball. I’m devastated for his family and teammates.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya)
July 1, 2019 Skaggs' death is one of several tragedies the Angels have dealt with over the years. It comes 10 years after 22-year-old pitcher Nick Adenhart and two friends were killed by a drunken driver April 9, 2009, only hours after Adenhart threw the best game of his career.
The growing memorial outside #AngelStadium for pitcher #TylerSkaggs is drawing baseball fans from all over. This man & his son just arrived from Sweden. @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/PIP4mRXLLf
— Jon Baird (@KNXBaird)
July 2, 2019 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.
A diehard #Angels fan leaves a cap signed by his family members...at the memorial for pitcher #TylerSkaggs outside of #AngelStadium. @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/r8TZ6jjFGC
— Jon Baird (@KNXBaird)
July 2, 2019 Southlake Police Department Press Release 7/1/19 pic.twitter.com/vgZTUBIc40
— Southlake DPS (@SouthlakeDPS)
July 1, 2019
