The six-foot-six athletically-built gingery righty saw his 16-year MLB career begin three-years after the Toronto Blue Jays selected him with their 17th pick in the 1995 MLB Amateur Draft. He was planted and bloomed north of the border until his 2009 Philadelphia transplant, where he played a further four campaigns -- retiring in 2013 on account'a battling multiple back injuries. He did-so upon signing a one-day contract with Toronto in order to shuffle-off a Blue Jay with a 203-105 with a 3.38 ERA final-tally.
It was the 2002 season wherein he announced his presence with authority. Doc finished 19-7 that year and parlayed it into a 2003 American League leading 22 wins replete with 3.25 ERA. All that and then-some culminating in his first Cy Young Award.
On May 29, 2010, he hurled baseball history's 20th perfect game 'gainst the Florida Marlins. Later on, in that year's post-season, he no-hit the Cincinnati Reds in Game-one of the NLDS. It was the second post-season no-hitter in league history after Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series. 2010 saw him garner the second of his two Cy Youngs.
The Blue Jays organization released the following statement: "The Toronto Blue Jays organization is overcome by grief with the tragic loss of one of the franchise's greatest and most respected players, but even better human being. It is impossible to express what he has meant to this franchise, the city and its fans. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
The Phillies organization too released a statement: "We are numb over the very tragic news about Roy Halladay's untimely death. There are no words to describe the sadness that the entire Phillies family is feeling over the loss of one of the most respected human beings to ever play the game. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we pass along our condolences to Brandy, Ryan and Braden."
There is a story I've seen making the rounds. It involves him telling his dad that when he flies his Icon A5 close over-top the water, it feels like he's flying a jet. "You are." Came the response. Roy Halladay was by all reports known as both a great team-mate and fearsome competitor. Pedro Martinez tells how he used to watch him pitch as they went against one-another. His friends and family note that he loved baseball and flying and in light of this tragedy -- let some too be shone on his life well-spent in pursuit of what he loved.
Condolences to all. May his memory be for a blessing.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"18 Again"