Doc Halladay’s Legacy Memorialized in Clearwater

By on September 17, 2019
Brandy Halladay (L) and Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos unveil the memorial monument to Brandy’s late husband HOF Pitcher Roy “Doc” Halladay at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium in Clearwater, Fl. on Tuesday morning. (EDDIE MICHELS PHOTO)

CLEARWATER, FLA.—The legacy of baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Roy “Doc” Halladay continued to grow on Tuesday when a monument was dedicated in his memory at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium in Clearwater, Fl.

     Halladay with a 203-105 pitching record and 3.38 era. and two Cy Young awards, passed away on November 7, 2017 after a plane he was piloting crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.

     The event was moderated by former Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Chris Wheeler who compared Halladay to fellow HOF pitcher Steve Carlton.

     “There were great players here at Jack Russell Stadium and like Steve Carlton, Roy didn’t want to come out of the game.”

Brandy Halladay EDDIE MICHELS PHOTO)

     Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos made a reference to Halladay concerning his playing fantasy baseball.  “When you play fantasy baseball it’s because you are not good enough and you wanted Roy on your fantasy team.  He was there and gave it his all.”

     Former Toronto Blue Jays trainer, Florida Operations Director and now Florida State League President Ken Carson reflected on his knowing Roy Halladay.

     “I never knew anybody in my 42-years of baseball who had the work ethic of Roy Halladay.  “Doc” also worked in Dunedin and Toronto for the kids.”  At the Rogers Centre in Toronto it was called “Doc’s Box”.

Longer time Phillies color analyst Chris Wheeler was the MC (EDDIE MICHELS PHOTO)

     Roy’s widow Brandy said of her presence at the dedication “These are the days that mean the most to me being amongst friends I have known for 20-years.”

     Brandy continued saying about life, “We are not raising baseball players we are raising good young men.”

     In conclusion she also referred to the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies as, “The two best teams in baseball.”

      The last speaker was one of Roy Halladay’s catchers Ken Huckaby.

     “He was the best friend I never talked to”, said Huckaby referring to Halladay concertation.   He also said “Pitchers are position players who couldn’t hit.  I am a catcher who couldn’t hit.”

Ken Carson President of the Florida State League (EDDIE MICHELS PHOTO)

      Huckaby was referring to Halladay not having to hit until he came to the Phillies where he posted a .124 batting average with two doubles 12 RBI’s but more important 26 sacrifice bunts.

     In closing Chris Wheeler said, “Roy Halladay is the 86th Hall of Famer to play at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium.”

Note; The scoreboard at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium Tuesday showed the final line score of Roy Halladay’s perfect game on May 29, 2010 vs Miami.  Also on October 6, 2010 Halladay threw a post season no hitter against the Cincinnati Reds.

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