It took Roy Halladay thirteen seasons to make the postseason. He He has a career ERA of 3.32, a record of 169-86, 58 complete games, 19 shut-outs, 1714 strikeouts in 2297.1 innings, a perfect game and even a save. He has appeared in seven all-star games and he has finished in the top five in CY Young voting five times, with one first place finish (probably going to be two after this season).
With such an incredible resume, there was considerable talk about whether or not he can pitch when it matters most – the postseason. Being trapped in Toronto for twelve seasons, the postseason was never a real opportunity with the dominant Yankees, Red Sox and recently the Rays dominating the division. Forever in a battle of mediocrity, Halladay got his first real chance this season after a trade to the Philadelphia Philles in the off-season. Moving to the National League which is generally thought of as easier to pitch in because of the lack of the Designated Hitter, Halladay put up career numbers including a perfect game.
The Phillies won the NL East as many had expected them to do, after all they made it to the World Series the last two seasons. Today was Halladay’s day to shine- the postseason. No-one wants to be known as the guy that plays incredible during the season, but can’t deliver when it matters most. It is an understatement to say that Halladay lived up to expectations. He surpassed all expectations by pitching the second no-hitter in MLB Postseason history against the Reds in Game One of the ALDS (Don Larsen pitched the first – in fact it was a perfect game in the 1956 World Series).
Roy Halladay needed only 104 pitches to complete the no-hitter. He walked Jay Bruce on a 3-2 count in the 5th inning, his only allowed base runner. He was in complete control from start to finish and the Reds were never really close to getting a hit. Halladay is no stranger to pitching gems, but against the highest scoring team in the NL, during the postseason, this was definitely a game to remember.
Let’s see if the Phillies can carry the momentum.
[Photo Credit: Rob Carr/Associated Press via NYTimes.com]
Related articles:
- Roy Halladay Tosses a No-Hitter in First Postseason Start (bleacherreport.com)
- Roy Halladay tosses 2nd postseason no-hitter (abclocal.go.com)
- Roy Halladay Tosses Second Postseason No-Hitter (abcnews.go.com)
