Former Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy (Doc) Halladay was killed when a plane he was piloting crashed into the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday. He was 40 years old.
Halladay pitched for 15 seasons in the Majors, beginning with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2008. The eight-time all-star picked up his first Cy Young Award in 2003 as he would be the team’s ace for several seasons.
READ MORE: Roy Halladay, legendary Blue Jays pitcher, killed in small plane crash
He was traded to Philadelphia in the off-season in 2009 where he grabbed his second Cy Young Award while also pitching a perfect game and throwing a no-hitter in 2010.
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News of his death spread quickly throughout the MLB world as former teammates and rivals all spoke well of him, as did younger players who all enjoyed his work growing up.
The Toronto Blue Jays noted: “it is impossible to express what he has meant to this franchise, the city and its fans.”
The Philadelphia Phillies spoke of the respect Halladay earned not just within his own clubhouse, but around the league
Several Of Halladay’s former teammates in Philadelphia were saddened by the loss of their friend and teammate.
Former Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia described the honour of being behind the plate to catch one of the best Blue Jays of all time.
Current Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman said the news of Halladay’s death was “awful.”
This past summer, Halladay and Expos legend Vlad Guerrero entered the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame together.
The hat Halladay wore when he pitched his perfect game in 2010 is currently enshrined in the MLB Hall of Fame.
Some of the best who competed against Halladay were also saddened by his death.
Some of baseball’s current crop of stars spoke of their admiration for Doc Halladay.