Biography

Pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays (1998-2009) and Philadelphia Phillies (2010-2013).

2003 American League Cy Young Award Winner (22-7, 3.25 ERA, 204 K)

Against the Detroit Tigers on September 27, 1998, Halladay came within one out of pitching only the second no-hitter ever pitched on the final day of a regular season, the only such feat being Mike Witt's perfect game in 1984. The bid was broken up by a Bobby Higginson solo home run. It was Halladay's second start in the majors, and his first career win. The game was also a near perfect game if not for an error by the Blue Jays backup second baseman, Felipe Crespo, as Halladay struck out eight and walked none.

Pitched some of his best games against the Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Minnesota Twins.

In the beginning of his career in Toronto, Halladay often moved between the starting rotation and the bullpen. During the 2000 season, Halladay sported a 10.64 ERA in 19 games, 13 of which he started. At the beginning of the 2001 season, Halladay was optioned to class A Dunedin to rebuild his delivery. Halladay was a power pitcher, his fastball can sometimes be clocked at 95mph but it had little movement and his pitches were up in the strike zone which ultimately led him to the unsuccessful campaign in 2000. Following his demotion, the Blue Jays pitching coaches changed Halladay's delivery adjusting the arm angle in which he throws the ball. Instead of throwing over the top, he went to more of a 3 quarters delivery. He went from a being a pitcher who relied on his fastball to one who delivers everything down, regardless of the type of pitch he throws. The adjustments were proved to be successful. After a month and a half, he was promoted to class AA Tennessee, and then, a month later, to class AAA Syracuse. Halladay was recalled to the Blue Jays on July 1, and was soon inserted into the starting rotation. He posted a 5-3 record with a 3.19 ERA for the Jays in 16 starts in 2001.