HOLIDAY, Fla. - Eight-time All-Star and two-time Cy Young award winner Roy Halladay died Tuesday after his plane crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. He was 40.
Halladay's ICON A5 light sport aircraft crashed 10 miles west of St. Petersburg at about 1 p.m., the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said.
Halladay was a huge fan of the aircraft, posting multiple pictures and video of his plane on his Twitter account:
Halladay was so much a fan of his ICON that an October article by the company featured him receiving the first 2018 model of the plane.
"I've been dreaming about flying since I was a boy but was only able to become a pilot once I retired from baseball," Halladay said in the article. "I've owned other aircraft, but no aircraft embodies the adventure or captured the dream of flying like the A5. Not only is it the safest and easiest aircraft I've ever flown, it is hands-down the most fun. The beaches, lakes, and waterways my family and I get to explore around Florida are mind-blowing. Words don't do justice to what the A5 allows us to experience. Even my wife, who used to be uncomfortable in small planes, now asks where we should take the A5 for the weekend. I'm honored to own the first A5 Founders Edition."
The company said they were notified of the crash but only said they're investigating the incident and working to gather more information.
Halladay is one of only six pitchers to win the Cy Young in the American and National leagues. During his 16-year career, Halladay finished with a 203-105 record with a 3.38 ERA. He placed in the top five of Cy Young voting seven times and led MLB for five consecutive seasons in complete games.
Halladay is expected to be on the 2019 Hall of Fame ballot.
Following his career, Halladay remained in Tampa Bay where he spent time as a pitching coach at Calvary Christian, where his son, Braden, is a relief pitcher.
15. "MAN I JUST FUCKING CAN'T. Rest in power, Doc, your legend lives on" In response to Reply # 0
I never missed a chance to see this guy pitch against the Halos or Yanks and I saw him flirt with no-nos, just be dominant pretty much every time out. I don't think I ever saw him lose and the one no-decision I saw he had a no-no going into the 7th or 8th in a great pitchers' duel.
When he came to the Phillies I was on cloud fuckin' nine, man, especially given how good they had been immediately before his arrival. I saw him pitch more gems in red. It was a fuckin' travesty what happened in 2011, that was, by many measures, the best Phils team ever and he was incredible that year.
I was talking to my mom on the phone when I saw the news and I almost couldn't continue. Just shocking. He was such a class player, too, he wanted to be comfortable, win and be in a good situation. He made a lot of money in his career but he could have made more if he were a mercenary like so many athletes. I am still in shock about this. It hurts.
And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
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