Los Angeles Angels: Remembering Tyler Skaggs

There were signs of mourning all throughout the league yesterday as teams held a moment of silence for deceased pitcher Tyler Skaggs of the Los Angeles Angels.

Everyone knew yesterday was going to be a difficult day of baseball.  Tyler Skaggs, the Los Angeles Angels pitcher, was taken far too early, he was only 27 years old.  Yesterday was his team’s first game without him in uniform.

There were moments of silence throughout all of baseball as teams paid tribute to Skaggs.  The Angels hung up his jersey in their dugout and wore No. 45 patches on their uniforms.

The two teams his passing affected the most were the Los Angeles Angels, his current team and the Arizona Diamondbacks, his former team.  Skaggs was drafted the same year as current Angel Mike Trout and Washington Nationals pitcher Patrick Corbin.

Corbin gave a particularly touching tribute as he wore Skaggs’ number 45 to pitch and then went out and threw a gem of a game.  He went 7 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 earned run and struck out 7 to earn the victory, pitching for his friend.

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Corbin and Skaggs hold a special place in my heart.  I was writing for FanSided’s Diamondbacks page, Venom Strikes, when both of these players made their big league debuts for the Diamondbacks.  They were both part of the trade in 2010 that saw Dan Haren leave Arizona and the duo of Skaggs and Corbin arrive in the desert.

I remember writing about the importance of both young pitchers and how they would shape the foundation of the Diamondbacks core.  Unfortunately for Arizona, Skaggs was traded back to the Angels in 2013 and was there for the remainder of his career.

He also made several starts in my hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah with the Salt Lake Bees, the Angels AAA affiliate.  The one thing we all know is that Skaggs will not be forgotten.

If you don’t think players were emotional after yesterday’s game, you need to watch Trout’s post-game comments as well as Corbin’s.  They are truly heartbreaking.

My condolences go out to his family and especially his wife.  I can’t even imagine what they are going through.  Here’s to remembering Tyler Skaggs, the dynamic southpaw and overall great human being who was taken far too soon.  You will be missed!  May you rest in peace.