RIP, Doc…
I heard the news and I was shocked. Much like the news of Daniel Webb’s tragic passing, the loss of Roy Halladay is a tough one to swallow. I’m a baseball guy and when someone in the baseball world passes, it hurts.
I worked in the Philadelphia Phillies organization for four years — two in Lehigh Valley (Triple-A) and two in Reading (Double-A). Over the course of those years, I was fortunate to have an opportunity to work for the Phillies during their 2010 playoff run.
During that time, Matt Provence (the “Voice of the IronPigs”) and I helped out in the press conference room. It was a job that both of us enjoyed. We each had a side of the room and handed a microphone to a media member who had a question for the person on the dais. On October 6, 2010, we witnessed history.
It was Game One of the NLDS as the Phillies hosted the Cincinnati Reds — my first game helping out. Matt was already a pro as he helped out in 2008 & again in 2009. For me, this was my first opportunity to be in a Major League Baseball press room and my first chance to witness a playoff atmosphere. We had no idea what would happen next.
Matt and I had a few tasks before the game and then were able to watch most of the game from our press seats. We had to be down in the media room after the game, so we began to make our way down there in the 8th inning.
Something special was happening that night as Roy Halladay was in the midst of tossing a no-hitter. A playoff no-hitter! In his first career postseason start! Insane!
Instead of heading right to the media room, we decided to watch the final outs from behind home plate. We had time.
As we both witnessed Halladay toss just the second-ever no-hitter in postseason history, we knew we had just been a part of something special. I remember thinking that this would go down as one of my most memorable games at a ballpark — second only to attending my first-ever game with my dad at Shea Stadium.
In the media room after the game, the buzz was amazing. It was priceless as Roy Halladay was at the podium sharing his emotions.
As I prepare to enter my 12th season working in professional baseball, I’m reminded of that day often. It was one I’ll never forget.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Roy Halladay. RIP, Roy. Gone way too soon.
