Blue Jays to retire the late Roy Halladay’s number

Baseball lost one of it’s greatest pitchers and people last November in Roy Halladay. The 40-year-old played 16 seasons,12 with the Toronto Blue Jays.

As a sign of appreciation, Toronto will retire Halladay’s number as well as wear commemorative No. 32 patches on their uniforms for the 2018 season. Halladay, who won the 2003 Cy Young award while with the Blue Jays, will become just the second player in franchise history to have his number retired – along with Hall of Famer Roberto Almora.

Blue Jays club president and CEO Mark Shapiro released this statement on Halladay’s No. 32 being retired.

"“Through Roy’s values, pride, work ethic, and perseverance, he epitomized what it means to be a Blue Jay,” club president and CEO Mark Shapiro said in a statement. “And while his legacy is clear, it goes far beyond the number on his back or his on-field accomplishments, serving as a shining example of how to live a meaningful life and positively impact others.”"

Halladay has a career 3.38 ERA in 2046.2 innings pitched as a Blue Jay, competing in 313 games during his 12 seasons in Toronto. An eight-time All-Star, Halladay won two Cy Young Awards, securing the other in 2010 during his first season with the Philadelphia Phillies. He’s one of two players to throw a no-hitter in the postseason.

The 16-year vet passed away on Nov. 7 when he crashed his personal plane into the Gulf of Mexico. A licensed pilot, Halladay has had long family ties to flying.

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He was one of baseball’s most beloved people, by the fans and by players, as many took to social media to explain how special “Doc” was. Current Braves pitcher Brandon McCarthy described Halladay as, “Your favorite player’s favorite player.” The Blue Jays will try and celebrate their late star on opening day and throughout the 2018 season.