Former major league pitcher Roy Halladay has died in a plane crash in the Gulf of Mexico today; the Pasco sheriff’s department confirmed the death. He was the only person on board. Halladay was 40.
According to his Twitter account, Halladay purchased the ICON A5, a small amphibious light-sport aircraft, about a month ago.
I have dreamed about owning a A5 since I retired! Real life is better then my dreams!! Thx Kirk & everyone @ICONAircraft pic.twitter.com/wkk6TtjAY4
— Roy Halladay (@RoyHalladay) October 13, 2017
He posted several videos to Twitter on Oct. 13.
What do clouds feel like? I didn’t know either until I got my new Icon A5! I’m getting bruises on my arms from constantly pinching myself! pic.twitter.com/BaObEUj3Xo
— Roy Halladay (@RoyHalladay) October 13, 2017
Can’t begin to explain all the breathtaking views I have seen thru the open windows of demo’s & now my very own Icon A5! Thx to all at Icon! pic.twitter.com/BZsXqcHFmt
— Roy Halladay (@RoyHalladay) October 13, 2017
He began flight training in the A5 in May of 2016.
I won't sleep tonight!! Tomorrow is my first day of flight training in the Icon A5!!! So pumped!!! pic.twitter.com/qQ2l8xUgpa
— Roy Halladay (@RoyHalladay) May 15, 2016
Halladay spent 16 seasons in the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies. A promising prospect with a decent rookie season, he was so bad in his second major league season with the Blue Jays that he was sent back to the minors. But he reinvented himself and eventually became a six-time All-Star in Toronto, winning the AL Cy Young in 2003.
A trade sent him to Philadelphia before the 2010 season, where Halladay had the finest season of his career: He won the NL Cy Young with a 2.44 ERA in a league-leading 250 2/3 innings. His season included a perfect game in May and a no-hitter in his postseason debut in October. He’d have one more All-Star season in Philadelphia before his career began to come to an end. He ended his career with a 203-105 record and a 3.38 ERA.
Since retirement, Halladay has been a pitching coach for his sons’ teams and a volunteer instructor with the Phillies. If his tweets are any indication, he’s spent a lot of time flying and fishing over the past few years.
I’m really not big on posting pic’s of my stuff and I’ll never be on Cribs… but this A5 is so outrageous I’d feel guilty not sharing pics! pic.twitter.com/UUmZMfgsff
— Roy Halladay (@RoyHalladay) October 17, 2017