I would say the baseball world is still shocked more than 24 hours later of the sudden death of Roy Halladay. The pitcher was flying his own plane when it crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. An outcry of support has been seen by many and a little bit of ridicule by some individuals. (I hope those two guys from the Boston radio station 98,5 get fired. And Boston sports fans wonder why they are hated by most of the country) Nevertheless, he leaves behind a wife and two kids.
Until more details emerge, there isn't much that can be said for Halladay's career. It speaks for itself. One of those September call ups in 1998 for the Toronto Blue Jays, he wasn't anything special from 99 up until 2002. For his '02 campaign, he started lighting it up, becoming an All-Star and leading in innings pitched for the American League. His next season was even better. For 2003, he led the AL with 22 wins, the most out of any year in his career. He led his league again in innings with 266, nearly 30 games worth. Though he gave up a lot of hits, he had nine complete games, which helps to his legacy. All in all, he got a Cy Young for that year.
After a subpar 2004 season, Halladay got back to form. Within a few years, he was back to being dominant. In fact, he seemed stronger than ever. In a seven year span, he would lead in complete games for whatever League he was in for six of those years. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010 and still put up stellar numbers. Most will think the highlight of his career would be the no hitter he threw in his first ever playoff appearance. Unfortunately, the Phillies were at the peak of their run as a decent team, so Halladay's playoff runs were only in 2010 and 11. He would wear off a bit in the final two years of his career.
The guy was very lethal. He knew how to play the game, and it certainly got him a bit of respect in the clubhouses of Philadelphia and Toronto. Halladay was probably one of the few bright spots in his time with the Blue Jays. It wasn't that they were playing horribly during his tenure. What doesn't help is the Red Sox and Yankees being more dominant during that period. There would have been benefits if the fifth playoff team was in effect 15 years ago. The stuff he was able to do could have changed outcomes, but that's all hypothetical. Either way, he gave the Blue Jays and Phillies hope.
So where does he stand as far as numbers go? The only guy I can think of for comparison is Pedro Martinez, and Martinez's numbers are obviously much higher. Halladay amassed 203 victories and 105 losses. He had a career 3.38 ERA to go with 2700 plus innings pitched. The two Cy Youngs help along with being an eight time All-Star. He pitched 67 complete games, and led leagues in innings four times. He certainly has stuff to be in the Hall of Fame, but I don't know. Then again, there are some players that get in with numbers you wouldn't think would be good enough.
No doubt, the Blue Jays and Phillies will honor Halladay for the 2018 season. It's always the people you least expect to end up in something tragic. Yankee fans will understand that with what happened to Thurman Munson in 1979 and Cory Lidle in 2006. Baseball will be in huge mourning for a good while.
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