Roy Halladay’s autopsy reveals traces of drugs in his bloodstream

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 8: Former Major League pitcher Roy Halladay talks to the media prior to the game between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies on August 8, 2014 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 8: Former Major League pitcher Roy Halladay talks to the media prior to the game between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies on August 8, 2014 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Roy Halladay’s autopsy report reveals drugs within in bloodstream at the time of his death.

Former MLB Cy Young winner and Philadelphia Phillies legend Roy Holladay passed away in November when his single passenger aircraft crashed into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Recently, more details surfaced, with TMZ Sports and the Tampa Bay Times receiving the results of the autopsy report of Roy Halladay.

According to the results, these specific drugs were found in his bloodstream:

"When former Major League Baseball pitcher Roy Halladay died in a plane crash in November, he had amphetamines, morphine and the sleep aid zolpidem in his system, according to an autopsy report."

Roy Halladay died from:

"Blunt force trauma with drowning as a contributing factor, according to the Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner’s Office."

The drugs themselves may have played a part in Halladay’s death, according to those very reports, said Dr. Bruce Goldberger, who performed the autopsy.

"“The drugs are particularly important in the assessment of the impairment of Mr. Halladay while operating the plane.”"

Anytime details are released on tragedies such as the death of Roy Halladay; it forces us to relive the deep feelings of pain we intensely experienced when we first heard the news. Questions of why and how naturally pop up, inquiries which we may never know the full answers to in our lifetime.

Instead of blaming Roy Halladay, it’s important to celebrate the life of the great man he was — both on and off the baseball diamond. It’s also a reminder we all face demons of our own, a reminder of our mortality in the process.

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Halladay was an inspiration for his play on the field, with gutsy performances among the MLB elite. One I remember the most was Game 5 of the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals, when he faced off against his former teammate and dear friend, Chris Carpenter — a contest in which he lost 1-0 in a game for the ages.

During his time with the Phillies, Roy Halladay tossed a perfect game against the Miami Marlins in 2010. He then carried that success into the MLB Postseason, sporting a no-hitter in the NLDS against the Cincinnati Reds.

Over his illustrious career, Halladay compiled 203 wins, two NL Cy Young Awards, and eight All-Star appearances. The only thing missing from his resume was that renowned World Series title.

Off the field, he was just as unique, with his wife calling him “beautiful inside and out.” His friends and teammates praised him for his tenacity on the field but was a kind soul off of it.

Next: Carpenter mourns the loss of Halladay

Even though it’s difficult, don’t get caught up in the details of the death of Roy Halladay. Instead, celebrate the man’s life and relive your favorite on the diamond moments of him over and over again.