Hi everybody,
I apologize for not writing about this sooner but I have been too bummed out to do it until now. Former Phils starting pitcher Roy Halladay passed away in an airplane accident last week (November 7th). Doc pitched for the Phillies from 2010-2013 and threw two no-hitters (including a perfect game) during the 2010 season. Halladay previously pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays.
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| Celebrating No-Hitter in 2010 |
Roy Halladay 10 Greatest Baseball Moments
A memorial service was held for Doc in Clearwater, Florida on Tuesday (November 14th) and many former teammates from both the Phillies and Blue Jays attended to pay their respects. Chase Utley, Cole Hamels and Charlie Manuel spoke during the service to reflect on Doc's life and his impact on them. Here are some links where you can hear their comments.
Roy Halladay's Life Celebrated At Memorial
Teammates Speak at Roy Halladay Memorial
Doc is survived by his wife Brandy and his two sons. The Halladay family released the following statement shortly after his tragic passing:
Our family is heartbroken in confirming that Roy passed away in a plane crash Tuesday afternoon. While many will remember him for his success as a major league pitcher, we remember him as an amazing father, loving husband and loyal friend.
Roy had many accomplishments in his professional career, the memories of which we will cherish forever. He described each achievement as a team effort rather than an individual accomplishment, a true testament to his character and love for his teammates.
Roy grew up with a passion for planes and always had the goal of becoming a pilot. Since retiring from baseball, he has been actively studying, accumulating the required flight hours and obtaining multiple pilot certifications and licenses. Just as he was known for his work ethic in baseball, he was also widely respected by those who knew him in the aviation community for his hard work, attention to detail and dedication to safety while flying. He treated his passion for aviation with the same joy and enthusiasm as he did his love for baseball.
That passion was also expressed through his tireless dedication to helping his own children and so many others learn to love and respect the game of baseball. He was an amazing coach for many youth teams, always showing patience and encouragement while reminding each child that they all had a role to play, a way to contribute and add value to their team. His love for the game had no boundaries as we often saw him instructing and encouraging the players on opposing teams. Roy was selfless in every aspect of his life.
While we mourn the loss of the core of our family, we choose to celebrate him and remember the man we knew privately on and off the field. We hope that he serves as an example of professionalism, integrity and hard work for all who knew him. For us, we will forever remember his unconditional love, humility and the sacrifices he made to provide for the family that meant the world to him.
On behalf of our family we thank you for respecting our privacy during this time of overwhelming grief. We also ask that you respect the privacy of our extended family as well as the families and children who Roy has coached, taught or worked with. We are so fortunate and thankful for the outpouring of love and support we've received from across the world. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. The service will be open to the public.
The Halladay Family
Doc was one of my favorite Phillies after Chase and I have missed seeing him pitch since his retirement. I had always hoped that he would one day be a coach in the Phillies organization. I hope the Phils name him to the Wall of Fame this year. Rest in Peace, Doc!
Talk to you soon,
Little Chase
