TORONTO, July 2 (Reuters) - Over 12 seasons Toronto Blue Jays fans became used to watching a clinical Roy Halladay(notes) take the mound and pitch a complete game win—just not against them.
Back in Toronto for the first time since being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009, Halladay provided a bit of nostalgia for an adoring audience of 44,000, tossing a complete game eight-hitter in a wild 5-3 win over the Blue Jays.
With the exception of watching Halladay step out of the visitor’s dugout wearing a Phillies cap, it seemed like old times at the Rogers Centre as the pitcher known to Blue Jays fans as “The Doc” improved his record to 11-3, striking out eight on way to his fifth complete game of the season.
Admired for his work ethic, loyalty and pitching artistry, the famously focused Halladay strolled to the mound seemingly oblivious to the heartfelt standing ovation but later the big right-hander admitted he had been moved by the reception.
“I noticed it, it was great,” Halladay told reporters. “The organisation here has been great to me, the fans have been great to me and to come back the first time and to have them recognise you … I thought it would be a little more mellow but it was a cool experience for me.
“It is something I will never forget.”
Traded to the Phillies ahead of the 2010 campaign for prospects, Halladay was supposed to have his ‘homecoming’ last year but the series was shifted to Philadelphia because of security concerns with a Group of 20 economic summit in Toronto that weekend.
Since leaving Toronto, Halladay has continued to pile up individual honours throwing a perfect game during the 2010 season and followed that with a no-hitter in his playoff debut.
The season ended with Halladay picking up his second career Cy Young award but the World Series dream that lured him out of Toronto continues to elude him.
“Obviously the ultimate goal is to win a World Series,” said Halladay. “More than anything it is to have a chance and over here they’ve put a team together that gives us a chance from day one to go out and try to accomplish that.
“That is what is important to me, that I’m in a situation to try and go out and chase a World Series.”
HOME RUN KING
Halladay took to the mound on Saturday with a 1-0 lead after Ryan Howard(notes) singled to drive in Jimmy Rollins(notes) but Toronto’s Eric Thames(notes) quickly made sure the Doc would not be celebrating a no-hitter with a first inning single.
While Halladay received his share of applause, the biggest cheer of the day belonged to home run king Jose Bautista(notes) who led off the fourth by taking the Phillies pitcher over the wall in deep centre for his Major League-leading 26th homer of the campaign tying the game at 1-1.
Chase Utley(notes) slammed a two-out two-run line drive homer in the seventh gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead they would not surrender.
“Once the game started I think it was (a normal game),” said Halladay. “Up until that point you never know how you are going to feel but I was definitely anxious.
“It was definitely different but once the game started it felt like a normal game.
“Afterwards it was relief.
“Some complete games are easier than others. It meant a lot for me to do it here.”
Halladay’s performance was the highlight of an eventful day at the ballpark that saw Blue Jays reliever Jon Rauch(notes) and manager John Farrell both ejected in the top of the ninth after a heated exchange with home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez.
Unhappy over Howard being issued a walk, a livid Rauch had to be restrained as he charged at Marquez, team mates ripping off the pitcher’s jersey while pulling him away from the umpire.
Back in Toronto for the first time since being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009, Halladay provided a bit of nostalgia for an adoring audience of 44,000, tossing a complete game eight-hitter in a wild 5-3 win over the Blue Jays.
With the exception of watching Halladay step out of the visitor’s dugout wearing a Phillies cap, it seemed like old times at the Rogers Centre as the pitcher known to Blue Jays fans as “The Doc” improved his record to 11-3, striking out eight on way to his fifth complete game of the season.
Admired for his work ethic, loyalty and pitching artistry, the famously focused Halladay strolled to the mound seemingly oblivious to the heartfelt standing ovation but later the big right-hander admitted he had been moved by the reception.
“I noticed it, it was great,” Halladay told reporters. “The organisation here has been great to me, the fans have been great to me and to come back the first time and to have them recognise you … I thought it would be a little more mellow but it was a cool experience for me.
“It is something I will never forget.”
Traded to the Phillies ahead of the 2010 campaign for prospects, Halladay was supposed to have his ‘homecoming’ last year but the series was shifted to Philadelphia because of security concerns with a Group of 20 economic summit in Toronto that weekend.
Since leaving Toronto, Halladay has continued to pile up individual honours throwing a perfect game during the 2010 season and followed that with a no-hitter in his playoff debut.
The season ended with Halladay picking up his second career Cy Young award but the World Series dream that lured him out of Toronto continues to elude him.
“Obviously the ultimate goal is to win a World Series,” said Halladay. “More than anything it is to have a chance and over here they’ve put a team together that gives us a chance from day one to go out and try to accomplish that.
“That is what is important to me, that I’m in a situation to try and go out and chase a World Series.”
HOME RUN KING
Halladay took to the mound on Saturday with a 1-0 lead after Ryan Howard(notes) singled to drive in Jimmy Rollins(notes) but Toronto’s Eric Thames(notes) quickly made sure the Doc would not be celebrating a no-hitter with a first inning single.
While Halladay received his share of applause, the biggest cheer of the day belonged to home run king Jose Bautista(notes) who led off the fourth by taking the Phillies pitcher over the wall in deep centre for his Major League-leading 26th homer of the campaign tying the game at 1-1.
Chase Utley(notes) slammed a two-out two-run line drive homer in the seventh gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead they would not surrender.
“Once the game started I think it was (a normal game),” said Halladay. “Up until that point you never know how you are going to feel but I was definitely anxious.
“It was definitely different but once the game started it felt like a normal game.
“Afterwards it was relief.
“Some complete games are easier than others. It meant a lot for me to do it here.”
Halladay’s performance was the highlight of an eventful day at the ballpark that saw Blue Jays reliever Jon Rauch(notes) and manager John Farrell both ejected in the top of the ninth after a heated exchange with home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez.
Unhappy over Howard being issued a walk, a livid Rauch had to be restrained as he charged at Marquez, team mates ripping off the pitcher’s jersey while pulling him away from the umpire.
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