On This Date in 2009...


...Roy Halladay became a Phillie, as the centerpiece of a four-man deal with the Blue Jays.  Kyle Drabek and Travis d'Arnaud (plus a reported $6 million) were sent to Toronto, while Halladay immediately signed a lucrative contract extension to remain at Citizens Bank Park.

The trade could not have worked out any better.  "Doc" put together one of the greatest seasons on the mound in recent memory: going 21-10 with four shutouts and a May 29th perfect game to win the 2010 NL Cy Young Award.  And he then authored a no hitter against the Reds in his first ever post-season appearance.

2011 went nearly as well -- the only problem was the Phillies fell short in the playoffs in each season.

Shoulder problems the next two years wrecked Halladay's career and led to his retirement after the 2013 season.

Halladay's life was cut short when he crashed his private plane in the Gulf Coast area off Pasco County, Florida on November 7th, 2017.  He was just 40.  Two years later, he was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  

The Phillies have since retired his number 34.



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