“I’m not built for this" - Former Angels staffer to fight 22-year sentence received for role in Tyler Skaggs’ death

In 2022, former Los Angeles Angels employee Eric Kay was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. For the first time since being found guilty, Kay spoke about the situation, sharing his feelings about his life and his denial of his trial.

Eric Kay spoke to Sam Blum of The Athletic, addressing his life now and the perception around his involvement in the death of Tyler Skaggs. The former Los Angeles Angels staffer believes that his 22-year sentence was too harsh, while also sharing his intentions of appealing the decision.

"For the first time, ex-Angels employee Eric Kay has agreed to answer questions since his conviction relating to the 2019 drug overdose that killed 27-year-old Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. @SamBlum3" - @TheAthletic

"I’m continuing to fight until I can’t anymore," Kay said of his determination to appeal his sentencing. “I’m not built for this," he continued to tell Sam Blum during their exclusive interview.

Eric Kay was found guilty of his role in the overdose death of former Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. The 27-year-old Skaggs passed away following a fentanyl overdose, something that was determined to be the fault of Kay. The former Communications Director was found guilty of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and possession with the intent to distribute.

"Five years after his death, @latimes has pored over hundreds of pages of court documents and cellphone records to reconstruct pitcher Tyler Skaggs’ final hours. Even the most ordinary details offer an intimate look at an epidemic that has ravaged the U.S." - @rebeccaplevin

Even though Kay originally told law enforcement that he was unaware that Tyler Skaggs was a drug user, texts later revealed that the pair had plans to visit his hotel room with pills. During the trial, a number of former Los Angeles players, including Matt Harvey and C.J. Cron testified that Kay had brought them pills as well.

Eric Kay believes that there are some holes in the case against him in the Angels pitcher's death

Kay believes that he has a chance to have his case reversed on appeal. He said that even though he had a relationship with Tyler Skaggs, he believes that the pills that took the pitcher's life were not the ones that he provided him. "I was convicted on conjecture. I was convicted on falsehoods," he said.

According to Eric Kay, at the time of Skaggs' death, he did not travel with the pills, and there was no way to prove that the drugs that led to the pitcher's death were from him. It remains to be seen if Kay has any chance of having his sentence reversed or shortened.