Baseball community remembers former South Bend Silverhawk Tyler Skaggs

SOUTH BEND, Ind. ---The sudden death of 27-year-old Tyler Skaggs has shocked the baseball community both across the country and in Michiana.

The Los Angeles Angels pitcher spent a brief part of his minor-league career with the South Bend Silverhawks before they became the South Bend Cubs.

Former South Bend Silverhawks Manager Mark Haley worked closely with the 27-year-old in South Bend. He said he’s still devastated by the news of Skagg’s passing and that his death is just not fair.

Haley describes Skaggs as an all-around good guy.

“Energetic, got a great sense of humor, I enjoyed him a lot because I could get on him a bit and he’d laugh about it,” Haley said.

Skaggs was found dead in his Dallas-area hotel room Monday hours before the Los Angeles Angels were set to play the Texas Rangers. While his death remains under investigation, those who knew him are looking back on who he was.

In a press conference held Tuesday, officials from Los Angeles Angels team fought back tears as they remembered Skaggs and announced the game would go on. The Angels faced off against the Texas Rangers Tuesday night and a moment of silence was held for Skaggs before first pitch.

“The team all got together a couple of times and some of the guys spoke but I think in the end we were able to talk about Tyler and some of his stories and the goofy things he did, listen to music, it was good,” Brad Ausmus said, the Los Angeles Angels manager.

Those in South Bend are continuing to remember the player as well.

“It’s tough, it’s tough. It really is. You know they’re supposed to be pushing me around in a wheelchair; they’re not supposed to go,” Haley said. “I was very fortunate to have been a part of his life. He’s special to me because he’s one of the few that he took care of me and i took care of him.”