The Philadelphia Phillies honor the late Roy Halladay by adding his number 34 to their list of “unworn” jerseys.
The Philadelphia Phillies jersey number 34 belongs to one man and one man only. Roy Halladay.
Earlier this week, the Phillies honored the late Roy Halladay, whose untimely passing in November rocked the baseball world, by retiring his number 34 jersey — for 2018.
Though Halladay only pitched four years in the city of brotherly love, he left a lasting, eternal impact on the Phillies and the entire town.
Andrew Knapp wore Roy Halladay’s old number last season. Nobody will have No. 34 in 2018. https://t.co/2vgEu74HJr pic.twitter.com/LNNAsNsQ8g
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) December 22, 2017
On the field, he was lights-out, earning the 2010 National League Cy Young Award, with a stat line rivaling any four years stretch in Major League Baseball history — 55-29 record/3.25 ERA/1.12 WHIP/622 strikeouts/137 BB.
He tossed a perfect game against the (now) Miami Marlins in May of 2009, in a moment that Phillies fans will never forget.
And, if that wasn’t enough, he threw a no-hitter during the same season, in the NLDS of the 2010 MLB postseason against the Cincinnati Reds.
Halladay stayed well connected and active with the Phillies organization, taking over the role as “mental skills coach.”
In 2017, Phillies’ catcher Andrew Knapp donned the number 34 but will make the transition to number 15, which he sported during his collegiate years at California (Berkeley).
"The Phillies assigned Knapp No. 34 at the end of Spring Training when he made the Opening Day roster, but at the time he expressed reservations about wearing Halladay’s number."
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Roy Halladay deserves to join the shortlist of Phillies who have their jersey number retired, permanently.
- Richie Ashburn: Number 1
- Jim Bunning: Number 14
- Mike Schmidt: Number 20
- Steve Carlton: Number 32
- Roy Halladay: Number 34
- Robin Roberts: Number 36
- Jackie Robinson Number 42 (MLB wide)
The circumstances are unfortunate, but Roy Halladay’s number 34 should be retired for good. Not only for Halladay’s play on the field but for his off the field character as well.
Next: Chris Carpenter mourns the loss of Roy Halladay
You are dearly missed, Doc, and we know you are smiling down from above in response to this great honor. Hopefully, the Phillies do the right thing and retire your number for good.