Toronto's ace Roy Halladay reacts to a standing ovation after Sunday's win against the Red Sox at Rogers Centre.
There aren’t many players in sports that you know you’ll wish well no matter where they end up playing. Roy Halladay is one of those precious few. With all of the trade talk surrounding the Jays’ ace, its tough not to let the reality of the situation sink in: Toronto is likely to lose the man they call the doctor before the month comes to an end.
For me, the Toronto Blue Jays are more significant for Toronto than just another sports team. Of course we all want the Leafs to do well once in a while, but few Torontonians can actually afford to see a game. The annual Blue Jays summer tradition is something we can all enjoy, and it’s tough not to feel proud of the city that we live in when you’re on your feet inside the Rogers Centre cheering an Aaron Hill home run, or Roy Halladay strikeout.
What better ambassador for our city, or better yet, our country, than the humble 32 year old from Denver whose been with the Jays since his major-league debut fourteen years ago? The man is all class. He loves this city and has dedicated his career to trying to bring back the glory days. Baseball is not always filled with the classiest of characters (cough Manny Ramirez, Alex Rios) but the Doc is certainly an exception to that rule. He is a quiet leader in the dugout and in the clubhouse and plays a key role in helping develop some of the more raw Jays talent. I’m sure Jays’ ace Ricky Romero can attest to that.
If I could tell Jays’ GM J.P. Ricciardi one thing, it would be that its not always about building or re-building, buying low, or selling high, sometimes its about holding onto the players that shape our perception of the Toronto Blue Jays, and when I think of Roy Halladay I can only think of positive things to say.
Regardless of what happens before the July 31 trade deadline, I hope Toronto will still appreciate Halladay’s dominance and class, and how lucky we are (or were) to have been graced by his presence.
Let’s just cross our fingers he doesn’t end up a Yankee.
Hey Scott! Where are you? lol Are you still in school?