Former Cy Young Winner Roy Halladay Is Retiring
By Dan Zinski
Sep 24, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay (34) looks on from the dugout during the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Roy Halladay was once a gunslinger, which is why the called him “Doc” Halladay. But time catches up with all gunslingers and this year it ambushed Doc. Injury depleted his once-glorious stuff, reducing him to a shell of his former dominating self. On Monday, Halladay will succumb to Father Time and retire from baseball.
Halladay will reportedly sign a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, the team with which he first rose to glory, and announce that he is leaving baseball.
Doc’s retirement announcement seems abrupt but it’s not altogether surprising. His last couple years in Philadelphia have been a miserable experience after his great run of seasons from 2002-2011.
2013 was just a disaster. Halladay underwent surgery in May for a partially torn rotator cuff, a frayed labrum and a bone spur. He tried to return later in the season but couldn’t get it going, finally being shut down with what the Phillies called “arm fatigue.”
Halladay would have had an uphill battle finding work as a starter this offseason at his advanced age with no fastball anymore. So rather than peddle his service at rock-bottom prices, Halladay decided to take the prideful gunslinger route and bow out.
Halladay retires with a 203-105 career record, 2 Cy Youngs, a perfect game and zero rings.
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