The trial for former Los Angeles Angels‘ clubhouse employee Eric Kay left a few takeaways.
It was disturbing to learn how several powerful painkillers and drugs were used and distributed in a major league clubhouse as recently as 2019, especially if we associate it, at least in part, with the sheer pressure of being healthy enough to take the field.
Secondly, we also learned (actually, we were reminded) that MLB players are human beings, like all of us, and have issues, problems, and yes, addictions.
That is precisely the case of Matt Harvey, a pitcher who was destined to stardom after his first three seasons with the New York Mets.
He got injured, needed thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, and his career went downhill after 2016.
He found himself on the Angels in 2019, directly tied to Tyler Skaggs, who was found dead that year.
Kay allegedly provided him with the drugs that led to his death.
Harvey Was A “Partier” Who Used Cocaine
Harvey, testifying with immunity in Kay’s trial, said, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, that he was a “partier” who used cocaine.
Matt Harvey testifies with immunity that he was a “partier” who used cocaine at the trial of ex Angels pr person Eric Kay, who is charged in Skaggs’ tragic death. A friend says Harvey got help after 2019 and is finally “on the correct course.” https://t.co/EnGs5gmnkv
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 15, 2022
Heyman also tweeted that a Harvey friend says the pitcher “got help after 2019 and is finally ‘on the correct course'”.
We don’t know the battles that MLB players have to endure outside of the diamond, as we often tend to focus on what happens on the field.
It’s nice to hear that Harvey’s life is now on the right path, as drug addiction is not to be taken lightly.
Jesse Pantuosco of Audacy reported something that Harvey said that really needs to be put in perspective: when asked if teams knew about his drug use, the hurler said “no one really asked”.
This makes it clear that MLB teams need to be equipped with the right professionals to provide players in need with opportunistic and timely help.
It’s something that the league will have to pay more attention to, as MLB is not really in position to risk their players’ lives on a daily basis.
NEXT: Disturbing Details Emerge About Los Angeles Angels Clubhouse