Roy Halladay – Please Come Back

Roy Halladay*I originally posted this on March 19,2013. Today, Roy Halladay died in a tragic plane crash. He was just 40 years old. Roy is survived by his wife Brandy and sons Ryan and Braden.

Now, I really wish he was back. Too sad.

I don’t follow celebrity news with any enthusiasm. Yes, I know that Kim Kardashian is expecting her first child courtesy of Kanye West. I know that Jennifer Aniston recently got married. I know that Lindsay Lohan is getting locked up.

However, I don’t really care about celebrity’s lives. I love movies and beyond that, I don’t really care what the celebrities are doing.

However, I am obsessed with Roy Halladay. And it is to an odd level for a normal responsible working family man.

Do you know who Roy Hallday is? Let me tell you. By the way, he is nicknamed Doc. So, let’s call him that here.

Doc is a starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. He was arguably the best pitcher in baseball for nearly a decade.  Then last year, things went awry. Doc got hurt – a lat injury. I don’t know exactly what that is, but I know it involves his prized right arm and shoulder.

Doc’s statistics last year were pedestrian. He was no longer dominant and whispers about advanced age and deterioration set in. The injury kept him out during the middle of the year and at no point did he look like the Doc of the past.

Would he ever be the same? Well, Doc’s off season regimen is legendary as is his mental toughness. So, when Spring Training opened, there was hope.

Let me give you a little more background and keep you in suspense regarding Doc’s performance this offseason.

The Phillies have been a highly successful team for the past few years including the first two when Doc was a member of the team. Last year, however they were the very definition of middling with a record of 81-81.

Now, the Phillies were missing other star players due to injury, but I think Doc’s was the most detrimental. Before and after (the other stars, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, also returned) he went on the disabled list, the Phillies were an above .500 team. So, even a mediocre Doc inspired his team.

Spring Training started off well for Doc. He was strong in his first start. His performance in his second Spring Training game left something to be desired.

Then came the third game – an unmitigated disaster. Now, Doc and the coaches came up with reasons and said wait till his next start. So, along with the rest of Phillies nation, I waited trying not to hit the panic button.

Doc’s most recent game was yesterday, and I was amped up. I was ready to follow Doc’s progress and scrutinize every little movement. The first inning was neither spectacular nor horrendous. Okay. When the second inning came around, Doc did not return to the mound. Huh? What? I was bewildered. I was smashing the buttons on my computer as fast as I could in search of news. Where was Doc? What was going on?

He’s sick? A stomach virus? No way. I could not believe it. I was sure it was a conspiracy theory. However, after reading 30 or so articles about Doc on every sports website, it seems that the sickness was indeed real.  What a letdown! Now, he won’t pitch till Friday or Saturday depending upon his return to health.

So, for a few more days I will put my life on hold. Or at least on pause. I will continue to go to work, make dinner for my children, and talk to my wife. Hey, I do have some perspective.

However, I will also be wondering what is going on with Doc. If you have a moment, join me in a prayer for Doc Halladay. He should return to full health and lead the Phillies to a World Series.

I know I need help. But please for now, don’t judge me.

Pic is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

17 thoughts on “Roy Halladay – Please Come Back

  1. *chuckle* – Celebrity forward and back – but what’s so different about a sportsman? In particular one who’s playing something like “Baseball”?
    Sometimes I think I’m missing a major part of life…
    For one, I can’t stand the Simpsons, I need to be REALLY hungry to eat peanut butter and I think Baseball is boring…
    Is there something wrong with me??

    • Probably not. However, we have many differences. I think peanut butter should be its own separate food group and you can deduce how I feel about baseball.
      Oh well – it takes all kinds.

  2. Interesting article. I know you like to write letters to celebrity and focus on them in other ways. It was refreshing for you to write about a sports figure. What do you know about football? I would like to see an article about Tony Romo, but I guess is time has probably past.

    Thank you.

    • I love football. I don’t know much about Tony Romo other than the basics. I wonder why the Cowboys have not gone further with him and if he really is a choke.
      Do you also have a blog?

  3. Okay, I don’t follow baseball so I don’t have much input here but I’ll say a prayer for him…for YOU! However, you know what is really sad? I actually used to watch Inside Edition every night to get my celebrity news. I loved hearing what the celebrities were up to. Since I started blogging I have had hardly no time to watch tv. I was completely surprised when you wrote that Jennifer Aniston got married….I had no idea! I just can’t believe how far behind I am on my celebrity news!!!

    • The only reason I know about her getting married is because I do the food shopping around here. While in line, I notice the headlines of the magazines they have in the racks by the counters. One of the magazines – People? – noted that she got married. Ain’t that nice.

  4. Hi,

    Believe it or not, I know how it feels to have sportsman or sportswoman you enjoy seeing get hurt and struggle to come back. Especially when you like them, you suffer with them or at least I do. So, I will say a prayer for Roy right now.

    I hope Roy doesn’t give up. That he hangs in there and keep trying until he has his breakthrough. I hope that Roy has a clear vision of his goal before his eyes and that this clear vision will help him get off of his feet when he is knocked down and try again. And may Roy always remember that struggle is a fundamental stone in becoming all that you desire to be; that struggle is designed so that we overcome and not give up. Amen.
    I have just said my prayer for him and I believe that it will make a difference in his life if he continues to take on the challenge and reach for the stars.

    Thank you for the opportunity to participate in speaking out positive words of affirmation for Roy Halladay.

    Shalom,
    Patricia

  5. This is officially the first time I have offered up a prayer for a baseball player, but I’ll do it for you. Here I go, right now, imploring God’s work on this poor man’s career. 🙂

    • I know I have gone overboard and I need help.
      Quick story: When the Eagles were in the Superbowl, I asked my Rabbi to offer up a prayer for them. He refused because he said the other team’s owner was charitable towards Jewish charities. I was not pleased.

      • And he was serious? Evangelicals will pray for anybody. Our prayers usually go something like, “Lord, help the Eagles in the Superbowl. And also, cover with them with your love so they repent and turn from their sinful ways…” We never miss an opportunity to convert! 🙂

        • I am not sure if he was 100% serious but I was.
          Your line at the bottom is funny. I think it will take more than that for conversion. However, if something changes, I’ll let you know.

  6. OK! I am behind everything! You know more about celebrities than I do! 🙂 I used to read; newspaper, news online, TV before baby and now I only know about the weather because every day I take my son and dogs outside! Anyhow, you know much more than I do. As for baseball???? sorry don’t know about “baseball”, but you seem to really want “Doc” to return, so I will keep your wish in my prayers 🙂 Now, let me go and turn my TV on … looking for “Entertainment Tonight” … getting my remote control now … getting closer to a TV … ha!ha! 🙂

  7. I heard about his illness on Sunday. He was scheduled to throw a Bullpen today (last i checked). I think he should be fine, although I don’t know that much about him. Don’t be so worried. I am not sure if he is OK to play Saturday against Baltimore, but he should be ready just in time to play the Braves. Who knows maybe even two more spring starts.

    • Yes, he did throw a bullpen today. However, I think they should delay his first start of the season so he can have a little extra Spring Training. Better he start the year a bit late than to be rushed back and have things go awry.
      Now, go do your homework!

  8. terrible tragedy. I felt sick after Gordon Hayward’s injury and then felt bad about how much it effected me, but you know what? we need sports. We need good guys in sports. It can’t all be real life all the time. real life sucks too much

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