Leaving With Class

Roy Halladay, former pitcher of the Toronto Blue Jays, was, as reported, recently traded to the Phillies, being the first time he wore a jersey other than the Blue Jays one in more than a decade. Acknowledging the fact that he was a Blue Jay for his entire career until the trade had occurred, Roy Halladay stirred something up, a vow of gratitude, towards the faithful Jays fans.

In the December 22 issue of the Toronto Sun, the longtime Toronto ace showed his gratitude by taking out a one page ad. Stating how he thanks the Jays fans for being behind him through everything since he was picked up in 1995, it brought a smile to a lot of Jays fans, and if the Phillies were ever to face the Jays, whether it be through interleague play, or even a stretch, in the World Series, you can bet that Jays fans will give standing ovation after standing ovation, to possibly the classiest ball player in the league.

Yes, it is wonderful that someone does that for his former team. Yes, it is. However, if something must be taken out of this, it is that other players should take this route. This is something that less than a handful of athletes do for their beloved teams that have been behind them every step of the way, until the athlete's departure.

We barely see this kind of thing in sports. I mean, if you're an athlete, you don't have the time right? You're on a new team, so why care about the one you were just on? That's the thing though, that bothers me. That's the mentality that a lot of these athletes carry on, often causing a nasty breakup between the players, the teams, and of equal importance, the fans.

Furthermore, this isn't even an average player. You see a lot of gratitude from players in the league that aren't really stars. This is different because Roy is one of the game's best pitchers, if not the best. Definitely, the best pitcher in Jays history, it's something that athletes like Vince Carter could learn from.

It's the least you can do. Fans have been there for you ever since you came on the team, and have stood by you. They wear your number to mostly every game, and chant your name aloud. This is much more than you playing your hardest for the team. This is about how loyal you are to your fans, even after you have departed from them. Don't trash them, don't disrespect them, because things like that could, and will come back to haunt you.

That's why, whenever we think of the Toronto Blue Jays, we think of Roy Halladay, no matter what team he plays for. No matter if he wins a World Series title. It won't matter. He's the face of the franchise.

He's just a Canadian sports legend.

The Doc Has Left The Building

In what will go down as the biggest trade of the decade, it was officially announced today that long-time Toronto Blue Jays ace, Roy "Doc" Halladay was apart of a complicated 4-team deal, that saw the first time in league history where 2 Cy-Young award winners were traded in the same day. The Philadelphia Phillies got the 6-time all-star and $6 million from the Blue Jays, and outfielder Tyson Gillies, and pitchers Phillippe Aumont and Juan Ramirez from the Seattle Mariners, who got former Cy-Young winner, Cliff Lee from the Phillies. The Blue Jays, who were looking for prospects, got catcher Travis d'Arnaud and highly touted pitcher Kyle Drabek from the Phillies. The Phillies also gave away outfielder Michael Taylor, but the Jays sent him to the Oakland Athletics for third baseman Brent Wallace.
____________________________________________________________________
Verdict

Although many Jays fans have trashed this trade because of the fact that they were unable to get J.A. Haap, who through his rookie season this year, was able to go an astounding 12-4, it is really unfair to blame GM, Alex Anthopoulos. The Phillies were obviously taking stand when they said that J.A. Haap was staying with them no matter what, and the best that he could do was get Kyle Drabek, their 2nd best prospect. If something should be applauded of Alex for people who still take their stand on how to them, the trade was bad, it's that for one, he actually had the guts to get prospects that he thought would help the team, unlike JP Ricciardi, and another was the trade that he made with the A's, to get Brent Wallace, who's a hitter, packed with quite a bit of pop and a good glove.

For the Mariners, second-year GM, Jack Zduriencik, the city of Seattle should give him a round of applause, for setting up the best one-two punch in the league. With Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee, it is safe to say that the Mariners are the favourites to win the AL West. Even if the Angels did sign Hideki Matsui a couple of days ago, it's very hard to ignore the fact that John Lackey left them to sign with the Bsoton Red Sox. For a team trying to make it back to October baseball, he's doing quite an efficient job at it.

Phillies fans are exuberant for acquiring Roy Halladay, but they aren't out of their seats because they lost Cliff Lee, the same man who pitched postseason perfection in October. Not only that, but they lost one of the most highly touted prospects in the league in Kyle Drabek. However, could you imagine the mayhem that would've been created by the Phillies. To have Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, AND Roy Halladay as your top 3 starters? That's all you need for the championships. However, they still got the best pitcher in the AL, and that should be enough to make them favourites to go all the way to the World Series again.
____________________________________________________________________
However, like all things, only time will tell.

JP Ricciardi

JP Ricciardi, the Blue Jays general manager, has done a horrendous job managing the jays ever since coming from the oakland athletics.

investments in vernon wells, alex rios, and bj ryan have all fallen apart.

overpaid players like vernon wells are underachieving to say the least.

and most importantly, the team is plunging towards a last place spot in baseball's toughest division, the AL East.

and the bullpen has not been the same, reliable bullpen it was a year ago, ranking among the best in the league.

after blowing leads in the past 2 games against the rays on july 24 and 25, blue jays fans are left to wonder, 'are we ever going to make a run for October?'

the "master of overpaying players", has publicly announced putting pitching ace, Roy Halladay on the trading block, but only if wowed.

the phillies have been the top contender for the Roy Halladay bidding, but haven't 'impressed' JP.

continuously, both teams are taking firm stances.

ricciardi wants ja haap. the phillies dont want to give ja haap.

what to do ?

let me tell you what they could do. they should wait until the offseason to trade good ol' Roy.

wait till the offseason until teams know their budgets, as opposed to 90 games in the season, where teams are heavily reluctant to push the accept button on a trade proposal.

another pro of this decision ? you could possibly get more as teams will do more to get what they want. the phillies obviously want halladay and have publicly stated that he is their number one target.

once the offseason rolls around, the phillies will know what they can give and will give that to the jays in turn for halladay.

i say that a trade for halladay before july 31, or JP's deadline of july 28, isn't going to happen.

but who knows ? it is jp ricciardi we are talking about here.