Former Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay killed in plane crash
HOLIDAY, Florida -- Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay was killed when the small aircraft he was in crashed into shallow waters in the Gulf of Mexico near Holiday, Florida. He was 40.
The crash happened shortly after noon on Tuesday.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said during a news conference that Halladay's ICON A5 went down around noon off the coast of Florida. The sheriff's office marine unit responded to the downed plane and found Halladay's body. No survivors were found.
Police said they couldn't confirm if there were additional passengers on the plane or say where it was headed.
The Philadelphia Phillies released the following statement upon word of Halladay's death:
"We are numb over the very tragic news about Roy Halladay's untimely death. There are no words to describe the sadness that the entire Phillies family is feeling over the loss of one of the most respected human beings to ever play the game. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we pass along our condolences to Brandy, Ryan and Braden."
Halladay was an amateur pilot who often posted on social media about small planes. ICON aircraft had posted a video with Halladay trying out a new plane.
Roy tweeted frequently about his love for flying.
Harry Leroy Halladay III, affectionately known as "Doc," was traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Phillies in 2010. He was one of just six pitchers to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues.
Halladay pitched a perfect game on May 29, 2010, beating the Florida Marlins 1-0. In his first-ever postseason start later that season, Halladay threw the second no-hitter in MLB postseason history against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the NLDS.
Halladay retired in 2013, signing a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Blue Jays, where he spent the first 12 years of his career.
Other baseball players to die in plane crashes included Pittsburgh Pirates star Roberto Clemente in a relief mission from Puerto Rico traveling to earthquake victims in Nicaragua on New Year's Eve in 1972; New York Yankees catcher Thurman Munson piloting his own plane near his home in Canton, Ohio, in 1979; and Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle piloting his own plane in New York City in 2006.
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Information from The Associated Press was used in this post.
