It is diheartening that Roy Halladay has retired from Major Leauge Baseball. However, his legacy will be remembered not only as a pitcher but as a person as well.
I knew there was a possibility that Roy Halladay would retire after the 2013 season, but I honestly did not think that he would. I figured Roy Halladay would try to pitch at least one more year, if for no other reason than just to attempt to prove to himself one more time that he could still compete. I figured he would get around a $5 million deal for a year with incentives that could escalate the value of the deal to $10 million or more. So when I read that Halladay would be retiring, I was a little shocked. I quickly got on my laptop and pulled up the live video stream to watch Halladay's live press conference(
some highlights can be seen here). As I sat watching the press conference, I felt a sense of sadness, because it seemed like Roy Halladay of all players deserved a better ending than this, but upon hearing Halladay's comments, I could not help but smile, because it sounded as if for the first time in a long time he was at peace with himself. Roy Halladay deserved a World Series Ring and maybe one day he will be in the Hall of Fame, but make no mistake about it, Halladay went out on his own terms.
Halladay was described by other players as a fierce competitor, and his workouts and preparation for games were known for being legendary. That competitive edge combined with skill is what made Roy Halladay the best pitcher of the past decade, it's why he deserved a ring, and it is why Halladay was a pitcher/player people rooted for no matter what.
Excluding the first three years and last two years of his career, Halladay was the best pitcher of the past decade, and there is little in the way of disputing that. Consider that from 2001-2011 Halladay led the league in the following categories at least once: wins(twice:2003 & 2010), winning percentage(2006), games started(2003), complete games(seven times:2003,2005, & 2007-2011), Shut-Outs(four times:2003,& 2008-2010), Innings Pitched(four times:2002,2003, 2008 & 2010), Whip(1.053) and SO/BB(five times:2003 & 2008-2011). Halladay also led various other categories, was an eight time All-Star, finished as a top ten MVP twice and collected two CY Young awards. He won the American League CY Young in 2003, and he won the National League CY Young award in 2010. Counting the two CY Young award wins, Halladay also finished in the top five seven times within the span of the decade. Also noteworthy is the fact that Halladay threw a Perfect Game against the Florida Marlins in 2010, and he threw a no-hitter in his first play-off start against the Cincinnati Reds in 2010 as well.
Over the span of those eleven years, Halladay compiled the following stats: 175 wins, a 2.97 ERA, 64 Complete Games, 19 Shut-Outs, Pitched an even 3,000 Innings, Struck Out 1,790 batters, a WHIP of 1.121, and a SO/BB of 4.815. Halladay no doubt has an impressive resume, especially over that eleven year span. However, because Halladay only won 203 games during his career, many have speculated he may not be a first ballot Hall of Famer, or a HOF at all, but he at least deserves consideration. Based on the eleven year dominance though, one day Halladay should be enshrined in Cooperstown, in baseball illustrious HOF group, where he belongs.
I knew there was a possibility that Roy Halladay would retire after the 2013 season, but I honestly did not think that he would. I figured Roy Halladay would try to pitch at least one more year, if for no other reason than just to attempt to prove to himself one more time that he could still compete. I figured he would get around a $5 million deal for a year with incentives that could escalate the value of the deal to $10 million or more. So when I read that Halladay would be retiring, I was a little shocked. I quickly got on my laptop and pulled up the live video stream to watch Halladay's live press conference(some highlights can be seen here). As I sat watching the press conference, I felt a sense of sadness, because it seemed like Roy Halladay of all players deserved a better ending than this, but upon hearing Halladay's comments, I could not help but smile, because it sounded as if for the first time in a long time he was at peace with himself. Roy Halladay deserved a World Series Ring and maybe one day he will be in the Hall of Fame, but make no mistake about it, Halladay went out on his own terms.
Halladay was described by other players as a fierce competitor, and his workouts and preparation for games were known for being legendary. That competitive edge combined with skill is what made Roy Halladay the best pitcher of the past decade, it's why he deserved a ring, and it is why Halladay was a pitcher/player people rooted for no matter what.
Excluding the first three years and last two years of his career, Halladay was the best pitcher of the past decade, and there is little in the way of disputing that. Consider that from 2001-2011 Halladay led the league in the following categories at least once: wins(twice:2003 & 2010), winning percentage(2006), games started(2003), complete games(seven times:2003,2005, & 2007-2011), Shut-Outs(four times:2003,& 2008-2010), Innings Pitched(four times:2002,2003, 2008 & 2010), Whip(1.053) and SO/BB(five times:2003 & 2008-2011). Halladay also led various other categories, was an eight time All-Star, finished as a top ten MVP twice and collected two CY Young awards. He won the American League CY Young in 2003, and he won the National League CY Young award in 2010. Counting the two CY Young award wins, Halladay also finished in the top five seven times within the span of the decade. Also noteworthy is the fact that Halladay threw a Perfect Game against the Florida Marlins in 2010, and he threw a no-hitter in his first play-off start against the Cincinnati Reds in 2010 as well.
Over the span of those eleven years, Halladay compiled the following stats: 175 wins, a 2.97 ERA, 64 Complete Games, 19 Shut-Outs, Pitched an even 3,000 Innings, Struck Out 1,790 batters, a WHIP of 1.121, and a SO/BB of 4.815. Halladay no doubt has an impressive resume, especially over that eleven year span. However, because Halladay only won 203 games during his career, many have speculated he may not be a first ballot Hall of Famer, or a HOF at all, but he at least deserves consideration. Based on the eleven year dominance though, one day Halladay should be enshrined in Cooperstown, in baseball illustrious HOF group, where he belongs.
No comments:
Post a Comment