A moment of silence was held before the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers faced off on Tuesday in honor of pitcherTyler Skaggs.
Skaggs, a 27-year-old player with the Angels, wasfound dead in his hotel room on Monday, just before the team was scheduled to take on the Rangers in Arlington, Texas, for the first game of a four-game series. Tuesday’s game was the first for the Angels since his death.
“Please join the Texas Rangers, the Los Angeles Angels and all of Major League Baseball as we observe a moment of silence in honor of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs,” the announcer asked of the crowd, as the players lined up together on the field.
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Skaggs’ teammates and fellow pitchers — Andrew Heaney and Cam Bedrosian — brought out the late athlete’s jersey, holding it up between them during the moment of silence and the national anthem. Each Angels player also wore Skaggs’ number, 45, on a black circular patch added to their jersey just above their hearts.
“We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to his wife and his family as well as to his Angels teammates and the entire Los Angeles Angels family,” the announcer added.
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The number 45 was also painted onto the pitcher’s mound to honor Skaggs throughout the game, while some fans held up signs. One read: “Forever our ‘Angel’ ” with his number and the Los Angeles Angels logo.
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Trevor Cahill.Tony Gutierrez/AP/Shutterstock
Angels general manager Billy Eppler addressed the media Tuesday afternoon before the Angels and Rangers were scheduled to play, speaking about Skaggs and the impact he made on the team during his time as their pitcher,ABC 7 Newsreported.
A cause of death has yet to be revealed, though police said Monday that they did not suspect foul play and that the investigation into Skaggs’ death is ongoing. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
The Angels went on to win 9-4 against the Rangers, with the next game scheduled for Wednesday evening.
source: people.com
