What has a strong chance to be Roy Halladay's final start as a Blue Jay is about to get under way at Rogers Centre against the recently perfect-gamed Tampa Rays. Definitely mixed emotions.
Sidenote: Toronto fans just gave Doc a standing ovation as he walked in from the bullpen after warming up. Good job!
I remember his second start for the Jays, the last game of the season vs. Detroit in 1998, one of those outings where everyone is trying to catch the earliest plane they can to start the off-season. Both teams were hapless back then, but Halladay showed a glimpse of his promise, firing a one-hitter in a 2-1 win. I watched the game, there were two out in the bottom of the ninth and Bobby Higginson hit a homerun over the left-field fence. Devastating as a viewer. Doc struggled after that, ending up back in A-ball in 2ooo, working on his mechanics.
I was thinking what great pitcher Doc is most like. He reminds a little bit of Greg Maddux, not overpowering stuff, but pinpoint control. Roy Oswalt, Tim Hudson, the kind of guys who rarely put up a 15 K effort, but by the end of every game they seem to have at least 8IP, 8 Ks, two walks and a win.
It's been a real pleasure to watch Doc pitch over the last decade here. Hopefully his replacement will be part of the booty we get when we deal him.
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