Over the past few days, while everyone focused on the Phillies and Mariners both getting Cy Young award winning pitchers, which prospects were going where and who failed his physical, the fact that Toronto was losing one of the best pitchers in baseball went somewhat under reported. Roy Halladay joining Philadelphia was huge news, and rightfully so. But one of the few bright spots for Canada’s baseball team is now gone, surely dropping them deeper into the A.L. East basement (at least for the foreseeable future).
Bluebird Banter: Saying Goodbye To Roy Halladay
Well over at SB Nation’s Bluebird Banter, the departure of Halladay was not lost on them, and certainly not ignored, and today they penned their goodbye to Doc.
Maybe that's one of the reasons why I like Halladay so much. It didn't just come easy for him. He had to re-work his whole delivery. He works at his craft. Very hard. The past couple of seasons he reinvented himself again, changing from having a low strikeout rate (5.6 per 9 in 2007) to becoming a guy that got a good number of strikeouts (7.8 per 9 in 2009).
I always kind of figured that one day we'd see that no-hitter from Doc. And that we'd get another Cy Young award. The great thing about watching him was that you had the chance to see something special every time out. We'll miss that.
Favorite Doc moments? Maybe beating A.J. Burnett last season. You could pick any of the 18 times he beat the Yankees, he's 18-6 career against them, the team he's beat the second most behind the Orioles (20-4). Or seeing tape of him taking to the young kids that received the pitching lesson. Or seeing him talk to one of the younger starters on the bench.
I guess my favorite moments were the rare moments he would smile. Generally at the end of a game. He is always so focused and serious on the mound, the odd moments he looked like he was enjoying himself stand out.
He is likely the guy I have written about the most over the past year and a half (well him or Kevin Millar). It will be strange not talking about him any more.
Good luck, Roy. It has been a pleasure being able to watch you.
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