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SPORTS Wednesday 8 november 2017

Former star pitcher Halladay killed in Florida plane crash

HOLIDAY, Fla. (AP) — Roy “Hard. I fought hard. I was two years, three years
Halladay, a two-time Cy very against it,” Brandy Hal- shorter than it could have
Young Award winner who laday said in the same vid- been because I wanted to
pitched a perfect game eo, before explaining why go out and pitch deep into
and a playoff no-hitter for she eventually understood games, I’m fine with that,”
the Philadelphia Phillies, and approved of her hus- he said in a retirement
died Tuesday when his pri- band’s desire to have the news conference.
vate plane crashed into plane. The couple have In 2011, Halladay was part
the Gulf of Mexico. He was two sons, Ryan and Braden. of the “Four Aces” rotation
40. Halladay spent 12 seasons in Philadelphia with Cliff
Pasco County Sheriff Chris with the Toronto Blue Jays Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy
Nocco said during a news followed by four seasons Oswalt. Halladay and the
conference that Halla- with the Phillies. He was 203- Phillies lost 1-0 to St. Louis
day’s ICON A5 went down 105 with a 3.38 ERA and an in the deciding Game 5 of
around noon off the coast eight-time All-Star. the NL Division Series.
of Florida. The sheriff’s of- “Such a sad day,” former “To the world, Roy was one In this March 9, 2017, file photo, guest instructor, former
fice marine unit responded Phillies first baseman Ryan of the best pitchers in base- Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay watches relief pitcher
and discovered Halladay’s Howard tweeted. “We lost ball, but to me, he was an Joaquin Benoit throw live batting practice during a workout in
body in shallow water near a great ball player but an inspiration, a great men- Clearwater, Fla.
some mangroves. No survi- even better human being.” tor, teammate, and most Associated Press
vors were found. Other baseball players to important, a friend,” said “We know Roy as a person, Youngs, one of the great-
Police said they couldn’t die in plane crashes in- Hamels, now with the Texas as a caring husband who est pitchers in baseball, he
confirm if there were ad- cluded Pittsburgh Pirates Rangers. “His preparation loved his wife, Brandy. He would walk in the room as
ditional passengers on star Roberto Clemente in and work ethic has and loved his two boys tremen- if he was anybody. Didn’t
the plane or say where it a relief mission from Puerto will forever be ingrained in dously ... and we are so sad matter who he met, he was
was headed. The National Rico traveling to earth- me. Roy was a man of few for your loss.” kind, generous. His fam-
Transportation Safety Board quake victims in Nicaragua words, but he lit up when Nocco said Halladay knew ily purchased a dog for us
is investigating. on New Year’s Eve in 1972; his boys were around. His many members in the sher- — K-9 Doc. K-9 Doc is out
Halladay, who retired after New York Yankees catch- family and this game were iff’s office, and that Halla- there working, saving lives,
the 2013 season, was an er Thurman Munson pilot- everything to him, and day was part of a charity making our community
amateur pilot who often ing his own plane near his there will never be a day in fishing tournament last Fri- safer.”
posted on social media home in Canton, Ohio, in my own life that I won’t miss day. The dog was named as
about small planes . 1979; and Yankees pitcher him.” “He was probably one of a nod to Halladay’s nick-
“I have dreamed about Cory Lidle piloting his own Chris Bourjos, the Toronto- the most humble human name — Doc.
owning a A5 since I retired! plane in New York City in area scout who signed Hal- beings you’ll ever meet,” “He was one in a million,”
Real life is better then my 2006. laday, first saw him pitch Nocco said. “For some- Nocco said. “It is a true loss
dreams!!” Halladay tweet- Halladay was nominated in St. Louis in the summer body who won two Cy for us.” q
ed on Oct. 13. several times for the Rober- of 1994, before his senior
ICON aircraft had posted a to Clemente Award, given season as a prep star in the
video with Halladay trying by Major League Baseball Denver area.
out a new plane. The vid- to players for sportsmanship “Perfect pitcher’s body,
eo showed Halladay tak- and community involve- tall, lean athletic. And the
ing delivery of a new ICON ment. The Halladay Family velocity! At that time, 93
A5, a two-seat “light-sport Foundation has aided chil- miles an hour was pretty
aircraft” that can land on dren’s charities, hunger re- special,” Bourjos, the father
water. lief and animal rescue. of Tampa Bay center field-
In the video, Halladay said A 6-foot-6 right-hander, er Peter Bourjos, recalled
the terms of his baseball Halladay was a throwback Tuesday.
contract prevented him on the mound. Durable Nocco, the sheriff, person-
from having a pilot’s license and determined to finish ally knew Halladay.
while playing, and that his what he started, Halladay “Many of you know Roy as
wife was originally against won the AL Cy Young in a Cy Young winner, future
the idea of him getting the 2003 after going 22-7 and Hall of Famer, one of the
aircraft. the NL prize in 2010 after best pitchers ever to pitch
“She’s fought me the whole going 21-10. the game of baseball,”
way,” Halladay said. “You know, if my career’s Nocco said.