Said Ryan Howard: "We lost a great ballplayer but an even better human being."
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Halladay's former teammates echoed that sentiment. He always made time for fans, media and especially the younger players.
On the field, we saw a guy who won 203 games, won two Cy Young Awards, was an 8-time All-Star. We also saw a player who did the unthinkable in 2010. He threw a perfect game and a no-hitter in the same season.
What we didn't see is the tireless work that made him a future Hall of Famer. (He goes on the ballot in 2019.)
Chase Utley recounted this story that sums up Doc Holliday's work ethic best: "My heart hurts writing this. I can still remember the first day we met. It was 5:45am on the first day of Spring Training when I arrived. He was finishing his breakfast but his clothes were soaking wet. I asked if it was raining when he got in. He laughed and said "No. I just finished my workout." I knew right then-he was the real deal. Thank you Roy for allowing us to witness what it takes to be the best. We will all miss you."
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At his retirement press conference in 2013, Halladay said: "baseball has been so great to me." Phillies fans would say it's the other way around.
RIP, Roy Halladay.
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