July 8, 2019: Update
A California newspaper said it has received multiple threats over an article speculating that late Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died of an opiod overdose — leading it to scrub the story from its website.
The Santa Monica Observer reported soon after Skagg’s death that the 27-year-old pitcher may have been getting opiod prescriptions from multiple doctors who were unaware of each other’s treatments, Deadline reported.
Texas police quickly denied the report, saying there was no information yet that suggested an overdose or suicide.
Teammates fighting back tears
An Angels spokeswoman also blasted the article as “categorically incorrect” and said the “reckless reporting from Tyler’s hometown paper is disappointing and harmful.”
The Observer removed the opioid speculation from their article, but stated the author made it clear it was speculation.
Tyler and his wife
The Observer published a piece explaining why they scrubbed the story called, “Why did we Take Down our Original Story About the Death of a Baseball Player? which explained it was due to death threats, legal threats and concern for personal safety.
David Ganezer, the publisher, added: “There are certain things worth risking your life and safety for, and others that just are not.”
He concluded his piece by saying the Observer would comment further on the story when Skaggs’ autopsy and toxicology reports are issued in October.
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California newspaper scrubs story speculating Tyler Skaggs overdosed
July 1, 2019
Tyler Skaggs, a 27-year-old starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, died in Texas on Monday, the team said.
Skaggs was discovered unconscious and unresponsive in his hotel room at around 2:18 p.m., according to the Southlake Police Department in Texas
“Tyler has, and always will be, an important part of the Angels Family,” read a statement from the team.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Carli and his entire family during this devastating time.”
No foul play was suspected and a cause of death was not revealed.
The pitcher started in a game against the Oakland Athletics on Saturday.
Skaggs had a 7-7 record in 15 games with the Angels this year. The starting pitcher recorded a 4.29 ERA with 78 strikeouts in 79 innings. He was drafted in the first round by the Angels in 2009.
The team canceled their scheduled game on Monday night against the Texas Rangers.
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