Roy Halladay dies in a Plane Crash...RIP

[havok24]

I'll remember the game I went to against A.J. Burnett with the Yanks in 09, Burnett lost it around the 5th inning while Doc outlasted him and went the distance. The atmosphere was the closest playoff atmosphere I ever had before the actual playoffs.

 

Yeah I was at that game and the atmosphere was incredible. Definitely one of the more fun and exciting games I've been to at the RC.

[John_Havok]

f***....

[thatoneguy]

Heard this over the radio, was f***ing gutted. RIP, one of my favourite players growing up taken far, far too soon.

[Swervin81]

I don't even know what to say. My heart is just so badly shattered. Him and Sundin were my childhood. Doc is the reason I'm a Jays fan. I was going through some horrible parts of my life prior to high school (things got far better after), but getting to watch Doc mow down every single lineup with consistency and getting to watch 2.5 hrs, 8+ innings, and 120+ pitches of dominance and entertainment every 5 nights were the bright spots. Our teams were mediocre to bad back then, but for one night out of every 5, we were amazing.

 

Thank you, Doc. For being one of the most amazing pitchers ever and an even better person.

[THANOS]

I lost my father to drowning just over three months ago. When something sudden like this happens.. the pain is absolutely unbearable. Doc's family is in my thoughts and prayers. This is absolutely gut wrenching. Horrible. Retire his number immediately. Classiest Jay of all-time. Cheers Doc. It was a pleasure watching you pitch.

 

I'm so sorry to hear that man. My condolences :'(.

 

On topic, I have no real words. Halladay was my little brother's favourite pitcher ever since he was drafted. My brother was really ill as a kid and watching Doc starts helped him stay positive to get through it. Meeting Halladay was one of the most memorable moments of my life. Before my brother could say anything, Doc looked at his smile and said, "You're my inspiration. You're the reason I get so much joy out of this game" and patted him on the head. That made his year.

 

A true class act all the way.

Edited November 8, 2017 by THANOS

[Spanky99]

Just heard this news and I'm devastated RIP Doc, I don't have words right now kind of taken back by it.

 

I was napping on the couch, and thought I dreamt this? Terrible, terrible news... RIP Roy "Doc" Halladay! So tragic.

 

Edit: Sorry, to hear about your dad ECJF, my condolences brother.

[Laika]

How often did you see or hear a casual fan call him Roy Holliday?

 

In a sick joke from the Universe, Roy Halladay died in a plane crash off the coast of Holiday, Florida.

[glory]

Damn, that sucks. Hopefully they do something for Doc on opening day or some time during the season. One of the greatest Jays ever. Horrible news.

[Bobthe4th]

http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/royhalladayonehitter.gif

[Spanky99]

He wasn't just a great player, he was probably the most loyal and humble player this team's ever had. Hardest working too.

 

I was so looking forward to his hall of fame speech. Holy f*** what an awful day.

 

Well said.

[crazy47larry]

I was fortunate to go to a few Roy Halladay starts over the years. He was without a doubt my favourite player and my favourite Blue Jay of all time. My favourite game by far was a game the Jays didn't even win. A game versus Boston where Halladay went 9 innings but left the game in a 1-1 tie going into the 10th. My dad was pestering me to leave early all game (to beat the traffic ) but I told him at the very least we are staying until Halladay gets pulled. I was just a snotty teenager at the time but somehow got him to stay the whole game. The game ended in a 2-1 loss in the 12th inning https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TOR200307080.shtml

 

I know what I am wearing tomorrow.

 

[Bobthe4th]

Level of excellence, number retired, hall of fame.

 

All 3 would have happened anyway, going to be sad that he won't be there for the ceremonies. Hope his family can get some small amount of comfort knowing how much he was loved and respected.

Edited November 8, 2017 by Bobthe4th

[Spanky99]

Ughh... just gutted.

[Bobthe4th]

Damn, that sucks. Hopefully they do something for Doc on opening day or some time during the season. One of the greatest Jays ever. Horrible news.

 

Both series we play vs the Phillies will have something. Phillies likely retire his number as well.

[intentional wok]

Seeing Roy tributes in 2018 and moving forward is going to be tough. Opening Day, number retiring, the inevitable Phillies-Jays tribute. They should absolutely do all of them, but it's going to sting every time.

[bendera3]

Level of excellence, number retired, hall of fame.

 

All 3 would have happened anyway, going to be sad that he won't be there for the ceremonies. Hope his family can get some small amount of comfort knowing how much he was loved and respected.

 

The first 2 should have happened anyway. Other than maybe Stieb who is the most dominate pitcher in Jays history? Who thinks the Hall of Fame comes calling? He was a great pitcher.

[mtljaysfan]

Sad, sad news.

 

RIP Doc. My favorite Blue Jays. A great pitcher, a great man, class act all around.

[Omar]

How fast do these planes travel at? Why don't these pilots have parachutes and ditch the plane when something bad happens since they usually don't fly that high in altitude.

 

193 km/h, not that fast. As I said, no idea why these guys don't have a parachute on board.

 

My understanding is that these planes (Icon a5) have a built in parachute.

[admin]

My understanding is that these planes (Icon a5) have a built in parachute.

Was just looking at pictures and one had a parachute on it. Apparently there are only 7 of these planes and 3 crashes now. The plane itself looks really cool.

 

RIP Doc. What a legend.

[Brownie19]

So my wife is out at the movies tonight and I'm home alone with my 3 boys. I just had to explain to my 5 and 7 year old that Daddy was very sad because his favourite pitcher died in a plane crash. My 7 year old asked me why he was my favourite pitcher and I went on a 30 minute nostalgic trip about how great he was, not only as a pitcher, but as a person. He was EXACTLY the type of player kids like him should idolize. I told him about when I got to meet Doc and how I have his autograph. I told them how life is short and to be good to one another.

 

I just got them to bed and watched Sportnet, which was showing clips from PTS with Zauny and then a round table with Campbell and Brunt and they were showing pictures of Doc with the sad music on and I just finish crying like a baby, all my myself (I think when the lead singer of your favourite band dies and your favourite pitcher/blue jays dies - you start to realise how old you are - and that's sad).

 

I love reading all the great post about Doc on this board and somehow, I feel better now.

[Spoonovic]

What a treat it was for us to watch him every 5th game. The best Blue Jay pitcher and maybe player of all time. Absolutely dominated some of the best 1 to 9 line ups in baseball due to playing in the same division as the Red Sox and Yankees every year.

 

Theres a reason why he was chosen as my avatar when I joined this forum.

 

Thoughts and prayers for his family and friends.

[Brownie19]

I have to share this story of Doc. I was in line at an autograph session in Dunedin probably 10 years ago now. The lady in front of me had this blown up picture of Doc in a blue golf shirt - it was huge - and when we got to him, she asked him to sign it. Doc was a little embarrassed at this large, rather random picture of him and he asked her where she got this picture of him and she said she took it at this same event last year.

 

The player sitting beside Doc (Aaron Hill maybe) pointed out that Doc was wearing the exact same blue golf shirt again that day (that he wore to the event last year) and burst out laughing. It sure was a pleasure meeting Doc. I was star struck, yet he was completely down to earth. RIP

Edited November 8, 2017 by Brownie19

[Spanky99]

Was just looking at pictures and one had a parachute on it. Apparently there are only 7 of these planes and 3 crashes now. The plane itself looks really cool.

 

RIP Doc. What a legend.

 

He was likely too low to use it, sucks man.

 

P.S. Love, The Rest In Peace Doc on the forum page, classy, bud.

Edited November 8, 2017 by Spanky99

[Spanky99]

What a treat it was for us to watch him every 5th game. The best Blue Jay pitcher and maybe player of all time. Absolutely dominated some of the best 1 to 9 line ups in baseball due to playing in the same division as the Red Sox and Yankees every year.

 

Theres a reason why he was chosen as my avatar when I joined this forum.

 

Thoughts and prayers for his family and friends.

 

I'm not trying to be a dick here, but he's arguably the best pitcher we've ever had, I still have and always will think Dave Stieb was better. This is a tragedy as he was only 40 years of age leaving behind his children and wife, my condolences certainly go out to all their friends and family. I love Doc and am deeply gutted today. So sad.

[baseballsss]

Thank you for the memories and keeping me watching the Jays through some tuff years. Amazing pitcher, Humble human but most of all an amazing man.

 

RIP ROY "DOC" HALLADAY.

[Hipfan]

Wow...totally shocked when I heard the news. He is my all time favourite Jay, and I've been a fan since the Exhibition Stadium days! He was so dominant, and played the game the right way. I loved watching his starts, especially against the Yankees when they were in their prime, as perennial World Series contenders. The Yanks had such a powerful lineup, but Doc made them look like a AAA team, seemingly every time.

 

First Gord Downie, now this, on top of a bunch of personal stuff that doesn't need mention here, has made this last month one of the worst of my life. This just feels like a huge kick to the groin. And I'm just some random fan that never knew him. I can't imagine the grief his family is going through right now; Doc was just 3 years older than me and if I lost my spouse so suddenly (we have three kids), I'd be lost. My heart goes out to his wife and kids.

[P2F]

It took a little bit to process this information, but this news cuts me deep. Halladay was easily my favourite player to watch - hell, he was probably every Jays fan's favourite to watch in the 00s. He was a full-on legend in his time, with 67 career complete games during the era of pitch counts, relief specialists, and more defined and employed reliever roles.

 

He produced just shy of 50 WAR in 2,046 IP for the Jays, and finished 38th on the all-time WAR list for pitchers. We were all so proud he was a Blue Jay, especially considering that he was on some pretty bad teams during his tenure in Toronto. Somehow, Doc never wavered in his tenacity and competitiveness, nor did he ever cause a stir with the media or a rift in the clubhouse - he was a true professional from day one until the moment he left Toronto, and eventually retired.

 

Doc brought an abundance of awe and excitement to the fans of the Blue Jays and of baseball every time he stepped on that mound. I don't know about you guys, but I always expected the Jays to win every single one of Doc's starts, and I'll be damned if it didn't seem like he always gave them a solid opportunity to make good on those lofty expectations each and every time.

 

It's my understanding that, as a person, Doc was truly modest, humble and kind down to his very core - such rare traits for a world-class athlete. He seemingly never turned down a fan for an autograph or a picture, though I personally never had the opportunity to meet him myself. It pains me to be writing this today - he was only 40.

 

The world lost a great one today. He will be dearly missed.

 

May you rest in peace, Doc.

[GD]

"My goal is to try to leave baseball better than I found it."

 

You really did, Doc.

[HealthDream007]

I am shocked and saddened by this news. Being in the AL East I got many an up and close look at him and while I hated losing to him I always appreciated his pitching artistry. I hope now that he is on the pitching mound in heaven throwing that palm ball he loved so much.

[Boxcar]

My god, every channel was just showing Halladay montage after Halladay montage on TV this morning. It was really hard to watch. I really don't know if I'd be a baseball fan today if not for Doc, there was a time in Jays history where he was pretty much the only reason to follow the team.

 

The broadcasters always threw the term "throwback" on Roy and while cliches annoy me, this was true. We will likely never see a pitcher like Halladay again. No one worked harder than he did, or had a bigger drive to finish what he started.

 

As a Jays fan, what I appreciated most was that he really wanted to win here. So much so that he took incredibly team friendly deals to free up cash for extra pieces. I really wish he'd have been here for 2015.

 

This year sucks. I feel like a family member died.