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Pirates' Trevor Williams reflects on the death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs | TribLIVE.com
Pirates/MLB

Pirates' Trevor Williams reflects on the death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs

Jerry DiPaola
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Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates pitcher Trevor Williams pauses between pitches during a game against the Cubs Monday, July 1, 2019, at PNC Park.
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Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates pitcher Trevor Williams delivers during the first inning against the Cubs Monday, July 1, 2019, at PNC Park.

Trevor Williams didn’t know Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

But Skaggs’ death Monday at the age of 27 touched Williams deeply and reminded him to count his blessings.

The Southlake (Texas) Police Department reported that Skaggs was found unresponsive in a hotel room Monday afternoon and was pronounced dead at the scene. No foul play is suspected, and an investigation is ongoing, MLB.com reported.

The Angels game at the Texas Rangers scheduled for Monday night was postponed.

Near tears in the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse, Williams talked about Skaggs’ death after he was the winning pitcher Monday night in the 18-5 victory against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.

“I’m thankful for my health. I’m thankful I was able to pitch (Monday),” said Williams, who was on the injured list from May 17 to June 19.

“It’s a tough elephant in the room. We lost Tyler Skaggs. He’s part of the brotherhood. I didn’t know him personally. A lot of the guys (on the Pirates) have played with him.

“I’m thankful that I’m here. I’m thankful that I get to hug my family. My heart goes with his family.

“Life is precious. Life is sacred,” said Williams, who is married with a three-year-old son, Ike. “Baseball’s not the most important thing in the world. I hope as ballplayers and as fans we can see that and have it be a little sobering effect and maybe smile a little more and hug your family.”

Williams wears No. 34 in honor of former Arizona State teammate Corey Hahn, who suffered a career-ending injury in 2011. He is co-founder of Project 34, a non-profit that assists with the purchasing of medical equipment.

Williams said he suffered another loss Sunday when his best friend’s father died.

“We lose a ballplayer (Monday). It’s sobering. We’re all going to die,” he said. “We don’t know when.”

Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.

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Categories: Pirates/MLB | Sports
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