One Big Halladay

or

Why Roy Halladay is the Best Pitcher Alive:

My personal philosophy is that Roy Halladay's dominance goes under appreciated because of how damn consistent he's been, and how irrelevant the "Fourth Place Jays" have been for the better part of his career. But while other ace pitchers have up-and-down years, battle injuries, become closers then starters and then closers again...Halladay just keeps hurling. No mound theatrics, no attention-grabbing bravado. Just a quiet focus and commitment on winning. Man is as damn professional as they come, and equally surgical in his attack on hitters. Halladay is always the first pitcher I select in a fantasy draft, and not only because of the CG's. There's not a guy in baseball today I'd rather watch pitch, and there's not a guy in baseball I feel less confident in fouling a pitch off against. My favorite part of this guy? How much he craves finishing each game he starts. I took the angry pants off today, so enjoy it Roy.

Did you know that Roy Halladay...

• In the nine seasons that he has thrown at least 100 innings, has only had an ERA over 4.00 once...


• ...and UNDER 3.00 three times.


• has struck out 1336 batters in his 11 seasons; which is 28 more than the number of walks, home runs and earned runs given up COMBINED (1308).


• has lost more than 8 games only once in his career.


• has thrown 41 complete games; 15% of his career starts have gone the distance.


• since 2002, leads the AL in winning percentage (.698), wins (113, for an average of 18.9 per season), shutouts (9), complete games (37) and innings per start (7.14).


• Has 25 consecutive starts in which he's earned a decision.

He's only received a single Cy Young Award. But nobody has been more reliable, more old-school, more intense, more loyal and more under-the-radar than Roy Halladay this decade. Recognize, enjoy and drop some homage to the best pitcher alive.

Now back to your regularly scheduled snark and bile.