Roy Halladay was found dead among the wreckage of his ICON A5 aircraft floating in the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday afternoon. The plane was found 10 miles west of St. Petersburg at around 1 p.m.
The deceased has been confirmed as Roy Doc Halladay.
— Pasco Sheriff (@PascoSheriff) November 7, 2017
Early reports indicated one fatality in the crash but the identity was later confirmed as Halladay by the Pasco County Sheriff office.
Roy Halladay next to his plane and photo of crashed plane have same tags. No confirmation on identity of person dead. pic.twitter.com/D5bfhASZC1
— Justin Granit (@JustinGranit) November 7, 2017
The Phillies issued a statement saying, “We are numb over the very tragic news about Roy Halladay’s untimely death,” the Phillies said in a statement. “There are no words to describe the sadness that the entire Phillies family is feeling over the loss of one of the most respected human beings to ever play the game. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we pass along our condolences to Brandy, Ryan and Braden.
Halladay was an electrifying pitcher spending most of his career with the Toronto Blue Jays but later joined the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010. It wasn’t always easy for Halladay even though he was a first-round pick in 1995. Before ascending to a dominant big-league career he almost washed out of baseball. A shift in arm angle unlocked success for the hurler and lead to a streak where he held the thundering A.L. East to an ERA under three.
Halladay was an eight-time All-Star and two-time Cy Young winner. He has a perfect game and a no-hitter on his resume and is the only player to record both in a single season. The praise doesn’t stop there as Halladay is also one of two players to throw a no-hitter or perfect game in the playoffs – the other was Don Drysdale’s perfect game in 1956.
Halladay was one of the first to fly the ICON A5 and in a video from Yahoo! Sports that followed them through the process of buying the plane, Brandy Halladay explains how her objections to buying the plane washed away.
This video is haunting, yet touching. https://t.co/yXypo0jLDx via @YahooSports
— Matt Enuco (@Matt_Enuco) November 8, 2017
By the evening hours Tuesday night, a flood of sentiment poured in from around the Major League Baseball community.
Statement from the Blue Jays organization on the tragic passing of Roy Halladay: pic.twitter.com/Ih8D0RQE9p
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) November 7, 2017
Phillies statement on the sudden & tragic passing of Roy Halladay: pic.twitter.com/gGhv7JUKv0
— Phillies (@Phillies) November 7, 2017
Commissioner Manfred issued the following statement today regarding the death of eight-time All-Star pitcher Roy Halladay: pic.twitter.com/lLbOa1emnt
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) November 7, 2017
The Phillies posted a special tribute from his brief stint in the City of Brotherly Love.
Gone far too soon.
Rest In Peace, Doc. pic.twitter.com/khboArOzRm
— Phillies (@Phillies) November 8, 2017
Major League Baseball’s crown jewel and South Jersey native sent his condolences.
In shock over the terrible news about Roy Halladay… a pitcher I grew up admiring & rooting for. Praying for his family & friends. #RIPDoc
— Mike Trout (@MikeTrout) November 7, 2017
Please find the attached statement from Chooch on the loss of his friend and battery-mate, Roy Halladay. pic.twitter.com/lwnUGXCjLb
— Marc Kligman (@MLBAgent) November 8, 2017
Roy Halladay's former Phillies teammate Cole Hamels: "He means a lot to all of us. We’re really, really gonna miss him." https://t.co/tYKWrOXjY5 pic.twitter.com/Fpzdx42dq7
— ABC News (@ABC) November 8, 2017
I only own like 5 signed jerseys, and I was so scared to ask him. He wrote that he liked watching ME pitch. What an honor pic.twitter.com/ufj4G8u5DD
— dan haren (@ithrow88) November 7, 2017
Such a sad day. We lost a great ball player but an even better human being. Many prayers to Brandy, Ryan, & Brayden. We will miss you Roy.
— Ryan Howard (@ryanhoward) November 7, 2017
How great was Roy Halladay in his prime (2002-11)? Here's how great:
His teams' record when he started: 87 games over .500 (195-108)
His teams' record when anyone else started: 24 UNDER .500 (646-670)!
Difference in win percentage: 153 points. Incredible
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) November 8, 2017
Shocking news about a pitcher you wanted to be like but realized he was in a class of his own. Rest In Peace Doc
— Jered Weaver (@Weave1036) November 7, 2017
I’m stunned to silence over the news of Roy Halladay. My thoughts and heart are with Brandy and the boys. Rest In Peace my friend.
— Charlie Manuel (@CMBaseball41) November 7, 2017
I can’t believe it. So many times we competed against each other and even while competing, I wanted to see you! My condolences to his family https://t.co/q5VGqQvoDu
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) November 7, 2017
Heart broken- Roy was always the guy I looked up to in little league, in high school, in the bigs. So lucky to have been his teammate. Incredible husband, incredible dad, we will miss you Doc!
— Brad Lidge (@SlidersNSaves54) November 7, 2017
Thoughts and prayers to the Halladay family. Touched so many lives. RIP🙏 pic.twitter.com/ckQwJyzgvr
— Jeff Randazzo (@JeffRandazzo) November 7, 2017
Another great one gone too early. Feels just like yesterday you were getting me pumped up for the season in spring training. Rest Easy Roy
— Ben Lively (@BenLively19) November 8, 2017
When you think Phillies, you think of greats like Roy Halladay. What a great competitor and human being. Sad day for all of baseball #RIPDoc
— Jerad Eickhoff (@Eickough19) November 8, 2017
Halladay was held in extreme reverence around baseball and here is one reason why; the message he sent when he retired.
Roy Halladay thanked @Phillies fans. Sadly today we will thank him by remembering the tremendous memories he gave us as fans. pic.twitter.com/1o5j8ixkqv
— Cindy Webster (@CindyWeb94) November 8, 2017
