Roy Halladay was remembered throughout baseball Tuesday for his pitching brilliance and humanity, after he was killed when the single-engine plane he was piloting crashed off the Gulf Coast of Florida.
One of only six pitchers to win a Cy Young award in both leagues, the 40-year-old Halladay was piloting an ICON A5 that investigators say went down around 1 p.m. in the Gulf of Mexico. Halladay was the only person onboard.
Halladay dominated with the Blue Jays from 1998-2009 before spending his final four seasons with the Phillies. He finished his career 203-105 with a 3.38 ERA and was selected to eight All-Star teams.
“Roy Halladay was the most accountable and hardest-working athlete I’d ever been around and while he was the fiercest competitor on the mound, he was also the kindest and most gentle person I’ve ever known,” said former Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. — who was hired last week as Mets first base coach — in a statement.
Players past and present took to Twitter to remember Halladay, who leaves behind a wife and two sons.
“Shocked at the passing of Roy Halladay,” former Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams wrote. “One of the toughest competitors I ever faced. Don’t think his greatness was truly appreciated.”
Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez, who spent his best seasons with the Red Sox, recounted his AL East battles with Halladay.
“I can’t believe it,” Martinez wrote on Twitter. “So many times we competed against each other and even while competing, I wanted to see you!”
Halladay’s death was at least the fifth in a plane crash involving a major league or former major league player; Ken Hubbs, Roberto Clemente, Thurman Munson and Cory Lidle were all killed in plane crashes. Lidle and Halladay belonged to the same Blue Jays rotation in 2003.
Halladay, whose name will appear on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time following the 2018 season, made his only postseason appearances with the Phillies. In his first postseason start, he threw a no-hitter against the Reds in the 2010 NLDS. Halladay also threw a perfect game with the Phillies.
It was with the Blue Jays that Halladay won his first Cy Young award in 2003. He won another with the Phillies in 2010.
“My family and I are shocked and incredibly saddened at the news of Roy’s passing,” former Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels said in a statement. “To the world, Roy was one of the best pitchers in baseball, but to me, he was an inspiration, a great mentor, teammate, and most importantly, a friend. His preparation and work ethic will forever be ingrained in me.
“Roy was a man of few words, but he lit up when his boys were around. His family and this game were everything to him and there will never be a day in my own life that I won’t miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brandy, Ryan and Braden.”
Halladay often posted his piloting exploits on social media. Included was a “Dog Rescue” trip last year to Alabama in which Halladay said he saved two five-month-old puppies whose ears were cut off with scissors to prepare them as practice for dog fighting.
“He was not only a great pitcher, but also a great person and a tremendous father,” former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “His contributions to the Phillies can’t be measured. Roy was like a brother to me and we remained close after his playing days. I’m heartbroken for Brandy and the boys.”