Current Cincinnati Reds pitcher Wade Miley finds himself linked to a troubling case, as recent court filings allege his involvement as a drug source for former pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who tragically passed away from a drug overdose in 2019.
In an eye-opening revelation, Ryan Hamill, who co-leads baseball operations for the Creative Artists Agency, shared during a deposition that concerns over Skaggs’ drug use date back to 2013. Hamill shared that he had raised alarm bells with Skaggs’ family and confronted the pitcher directly about his drug use.
“He admitted it,” Hamill testified, explaining that Skaggs confessed to using Percocets and named Wade Miley as his source.
Additionally, in the criminal case against another party, Miley’s name surfaced in a rather unsettling way. A recorded phone call made in prison and presented as evidence revealed a conversation where Miley was identified as a drug source for Skaggs.
Despite these claims, it’s crucial to highlight that Wade Miley has not faced any criminal charges related to these allegations.
For context, Skaggs and Miley shared team colors during their stints with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Skaggs’ passing at 27 left the baseball world mourning. A pitcher for both the Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels over his seven-year tenure, he left behind a record of 28-38 and a 4.41 ERA. Notably, he had his best season in 2018, securing a career-high of eight wins.
Meanwhile, Miley, a seasoned veteran now in his 15th year, has journeyed across several teams including the Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Mariners, Orioles, Brewers, Astros, Reds, and Cubs. With a current career record of 109-99 and an All-Star nod in 2012, Miley has established himself as a reliable presence on the mound.
In an ongoing legal battle, the Skaggs family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Angels organization. In response, the Angels assert that Skaggs had a longstanding drug issue, absolving them of liability in his untimely death.
This case continues to unfold, and the revelations raise questions that extend beyond the diamond about responsibilities and complexities faced by athletes in high-pressure environments.
