Philadelphia Phillies get it right with Roy Halladay

Roy Halladay did not spend much time with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was with the organization for only four years, eventually being forced into retirement due to injury. However, there was no questioning what Halladay had meant to the organization during that time, as he provided another ace during the Phillies’ heyday.

On Sunday, the team did the right thing. His number 34 was retired as Halladay was forever enshrined in the Phillies’ Wall of Fame.

Roy Halladay left his mark on the Philadelphia Phillies

Even in that brief time, Halladay showed why he was one of the more dominant pitchers of his era. He was a two time All Star and won the 2010 NL Cy Young award in his first year with the Phillies, finishing second the following year. Overall, he posted a 55-29 record with a 3.25 ERA and a 1.119 WHiP in his 702.2 innings, striking out 622 batters with 137 walks.

Halladay also had the best playoff debut of any pitcher in major league history. After a dozen years with the Blue Jays, he finally got his chance at the postseason in 2010. He made up for lost time, firing the second playoff no hitter in the majors, allowing just one walk. That no hitter was also the second of the season, as he became one of five pitchers in the history of the game to throw two no hitters in the same year.

Unfortunately, Halladay’s time with the Phillies did not end as anyone would have hoped. He was unable to earn that elusive championship, as the Phillies were unable to return to the World Series during his tenure. He also struggled in his last year with the team, dealing with shoulder issues and arm fatigue as he just was not the same pitcher he had been.

But that does not change the impact he had during that time. Halladay was an old school pitcher, someone who routinely led the league in complete games and threw over 200 innings a year. His desire to win and competitive nature was infectious, as he added another element to the Phillies during his time.

The Philadelphia Phillies retired Roy Halladay’s number on Sunday. It is a fitting honor for a pitcher who dominated during his time with the franchise.