Roy Halladay, a former Major League Baseball All-Star, Cy Young Award winner and likely future Hall of Famer, was killed on Tuesday in a plane crash.
He was 40 years old.
A two-time Cy Young Award recipient, Halladay was the only passenger in a plane that crashed into the Gulf of Mexico, going down near St. Petersburg around 1 p.m.
He had just recently purchased the aircraft and couldn’t help but gush over his second life as a pilot in multiple Instagram posts.
Wrote Halladay on October 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!"
Featured in an article on ICONAircraft.com, Halladay also said the following last month:
"I’ve been dreaming about flying since I was a boy but was only able to become a pilot once I retired from baseball."
"I’ve owned other aircraft, but no aircraft embodies the adventure or captured the dream of flying like the A5."
"Not only is it the safest and easiest aircraft I’ve ever flown, it is hands-down the most fun."
"The beaches, lakes, and waterways my family and I get to explore around Florida are mind-blowing."
"Words don’t do justice to what the A5 allows us to experience."
"Even my wife, who used to be uncomfortable in small planes, now asks where we should take the A5 for the weekend.
"I’m honored to own the first A5 Founders Edition."
On the mound, Halladay excelled for the Toronto Blue Jay and Philadelphia Phillies.
He finished his career with 203 wins and a 3.38 ERA, along with 67 complete games and 20 shutouts.
Many considered Halladay to be the best pitcher of his generation.
He retired in 2013 and would be eligible for the Hall of Fame next year, following the customary five-year waiting period after a player performs in his final game.
The hurler threw a perfect game during the 2010 season and a no-hitter that postseason.
Wrote baseball writer Jeff Passan in response to the sad news:
"Roy Halladay was an amazing baseball player, a second-to-none worker and, best of all, a genuine, good person in an industry without enough."
"The sadness across baseball right now is overwhelming. Roy Halladay was who everyone wanted to be."
Added the official Major League Baseball Twitter account:
We are saddened by the tragic news that Roy Halladay, 2-time Cy Young Award winner & 8-time All-Star, has died in a plane crash. He was 40.
Halladay is survived by his wife and two sons, Ryan and Braden.
May he rest in peace.