Halladay: 'It's bittersweet'
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Halladay: 'It's bittersweet'
Daily News staff
Roy Halladay reflected on his first season with the Phillies and making the playoffs for the first time in his career:
On the season: “It’s definitely the most fun I’ve ever had and it’s bittersweet because obviously the goals we had as a team, you come up short of that. That part is tough, but I think what we accomplished as a team, it’s stuff I will never forget. The whole year was a dream come true for me, really. We would have all loved to win it all. It’s hard to go on after the year we had. There was so much good stuff that happened … It was everything I ever hoped it would be.”
On his first playoff experience: “I spent 12 years not even coming close. I think you’re well aware of how hard it is … Not only do you have to have the best team, but you have be hitting things at the right time. There’s a lot of good timing. You hate to call it luck because you put in so much preparation. I don’t think luck is as big as a factor. A lot goes into it. To be playing your best baseball for a 2-3 week period at the end of the season is hard to do. I don’t think anybody had any illusions about that.”
On any surprises from his first year in Philly: “The fans stood out. Looking at the course of the entire season to sell out every single game, including the two exhibition games we played before the season started that was impressive. It’s a great sports town … I was really blown away from Day 1 to the very end how much support we receive.”
On whether he will watch the World Series: “I don’t know if I will this year. You’re still licking your wounds a little bit .. it’s definitely going to be tougher, knowing that we were two games away form being there yourself.”
On the team’s mindset: “We were motivated coming in. It does leave a sour taste in your mouth. As much fun as we had … there definitely will be a hunger … I really don’t feel like we took anything for granted. We realize the work it took and how close we came, that really stings.”
His most rewarding game: “Probably the last game to clinch the division. I think just because of what it meant for us as a team. Being able to celebrate as a team not only on the field but in the clubhouse, that was pretty special, something that I won’t ever forget. As far as exciting team moment, that was it for me.”
On his offseason regimen, given the heavy workload: “I have some experience with that, early in my career. We didn’t have the postseason, playing the extra 2-3 weeks. I definitely learned how to take steps back and mange myself appropriately. I think a lot of the stuff will be the same. I’ve made a lot of the changes the last few years … The program that I had was set up to try to allow myself to go as far as I could during the season. I felt really good the last few years doing that. As long as I can limit the off the mound stuff until spring training and just build arm strength and general body strength, I shouldn’t have a problem.” He said he will be back at the complex by Dec. 1 and work at home before that building strength.
Halladay said the groin injury he suffered in Game 5 was “basically, just a tear of the muscle tissue. No tendon damage or pulling anything from the bone. Definitely not something they would operate on.”
He said it would require a week or two of rest and then he would begin his regular program. He said the injury “would not have been a problem at all” had the Phillies advanced to the World Series.
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To read our earlier post with Ruben Amaro Jr., click here.
Vote: Is honeymoon over? 
At the beginning of the season, Halladay's wife gave an interview to the Toronto Sun, in which she acknowledged that the trade to the Phillies didn't guarantee a ring, but that Roy, first and foremost, was just looking for the opportunity to be on a winning team and have a shot at a championship. Reading his comments here validates what his wife said months ago, and actually makes me feel better. My disappointment in the Phils not advancing this year really was for Halladay. I wanted him to be rewarded for his awesome career and stellar year with the Phils with some kind of championship. But, I'm glad at least he got something out of this season with this team. What a nice reminder -- among all of the gut-reaction to the NLCS loss -- that perhaps the Phils already have something worth keeping in place. Thanks, Roy Halladay! You are a class individual and I'm so proud to have you in a Phillies uniform!— AmyC822- I'm still bitter from that loss, more so because I was in the park on Saturday. Probably haven't felt that level of collective fan diappointment since the Bucs upset of the Eagles at the last game at the Vet. But this is still a great team, and I'll be exciting for Spring Training next year. Living here in NY, you can really feel the hopelessness of the Yankees fans as their "core four" all get closer to 40. I'll take our guys on the young side of 35 any day of the week. Thanks for the GREAT SEASON, PHILS!— nyphilsphan
- Classy, classy guy.— TerryW
- Thank you to Roy Halladay....What a classy guy you are....what a great year you gave us....Thank you to the Philadelphia Phillies for the great ride you gave us all year....looking forward to 2011 and another great season!!!!— mick1107
- @nyphilsphan: Also a Phillies fan in NYC, and your post is dead on. I'd rather be where the Phils are heading into the off-season than where the Yankess are. To me, they have many more difficult decisions to make than the Phils.— AmyC822
- What a guy!!! Make him a real Philadelpian, give him the key to the city that he has earned.— alsdad41
- "...but you have to be hitting things at the right time...". Nice little double entendre there directed at the offense, whether intentional or not.— n62
- Thanks for a great year.Hope you take home the Cy Young award— vince volpe
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- what a class act! @nyphils...i couldn't agree more. i think joe Joe jurevicius is still running down the sideline with that pick just like howard is still standing at the plate, wondering whether it was ball/strike. two images that are forever engrained in my memory...can't wait for the first series against the giants next year. go phils in '11.— g$ is an idiot
- Yes, THANK YOU ROY HALLADAY!!You ARE a class act, and we are absolutely thrilled to have you and thrilled that you wanted to be here! We still have a great team! And the sky remains the limit next year YOU WILL WIN THE CY YOUNG AWARD THIS YEAR! And we fans will sell out every game again next year! Lastly, I HOPE YOUR WIFE AND CHILDREN FEEL WELCOME HERE AND LOVE IT HERE!— 5NOT4
- Roy Halladay is obviously a major class act; I'm so glad he's a Phil. As a big Phillies fan who now lives in the SF Bay area, I now have to endure a week of World Series excitement without the Phillies playing. It does, indeed, sting a bit.— jerryaw2
- Obviously a classy guy engenders classy comments from good fans -- so much better feeling than you get from the losers and whiners who comment so often to these articles. When you think where these guys were July 21, and what they did, and you know that a lot of them were doing it because of the hope and faith Roy Halladay showed in them. Let's hope the big three (J-Roll, Utley and Howard) all stay healthy next year. If so, the Phils will win 105 games.— FrankGruber
- Thank you Roy for this wonderful year!
http://www.partner2sport.ch
— partner2sport - THANK YOU ROY!!!!!! Your are a class act and you earned my highest respect, Halladay!!! I'm excited for your future as a Phillies player!— Alvin12
- Halladay sucks...he's useless with the bat. Everytime he comes up to bat he gives no effort. He should of hit atleast 15 HRs this year and stole 10 bases. awful— ArtieLange
- Halladay sucks...he's useless with the bat. Everytime he comes up to bat he gives no effort. He should of hit atleast 15 HRs this year and stole 10 bases. awful— ArtieLange
- Roy Halladay personifies what the entire Phillies organization is: a class act.— JT123
- Hard to find silver linings but if Roy pitched in the WS, he might have caused significant, career threatening damage to that groin...rest up big guy, thanks for a great year...and don't aggravate that injury hoisting the Cy Young trophy...— wvbillz
- How many days till spring training????— Grazman
- I'm so glad I can root for someone like Roy Halladay. It feels good! He is classy and smart. He knows the right things to say and backs it all up with great performances. How different from the "gold standard" organization across the street that brings in people of low character and expects you to be happy to cheer for them. It's too bad that they can't see the difference. What a joke they are compared to the Phillies!— TheMiss
- I like Halladay but I thik our rotation would have been much better and much tougher to get pass with Clff Lee at the top followed by Halladay and Hamel... The way i see it Lee Hamel Halladay and we still could have sent happ to houston for oswalt and had a rotation of lee halladay hamel and oswalt raj and the front off now needs to retool??? give me a break they need pitching and you had the most dominate pitchin in baseball cliff lee now he'll be the one two punch for the yankee's lee will be one and cc will be two... i said when the trade was made lee will win one before we do again and it wasnt even a season later that he will get is moment in the sun!!! WHAT LAMES retooling gives me a break!!!!— DJ_Bootleggah
- WAY TO GO ROY - I wish you had more support this year.
Thanks for keeping an open mind about us "mean, terrible" philly fans... All we ask is hard work, focus and excellence without obnoxious showboating... Which is why you and your family are a perfect fit.
I cant wait for Spring Training!
— shova - The Phillies is very lucky to have Halladay. He brings good game, hope and good energy for the fans. If only the others would follow... HALLADAY U DE MAN!— poknows
- Thanks to Roy and the rest of the Phils for an exciting season, and even tho it didn't turn out like we all had hoped, it doesn't diminish the fact that there was plenty to cheer about! We're so lucky to have Roy and all the class and talent he brings with him. Thanks and see you next year!
- WHAT A GREAT SOUL and a super arm--the rest of the team should learn from your attitude --I believe Shane and a few other long time Philly players feel entitled!— carmen2
- Roy Halladay is a class guy on a team of class guys. Loss to the Giants hurt, but we have a great team and I'll be supporting the Phillies NO MATTER WHAT!
- I don't think any sane fan could have asked more from any Phillies player. Thank you Roy for joining the Phils.
This is a first in the history of the internet. A comment section free of trolls,miscreants, and troglodytes.Yeah my suggestion is for Rube to get the offensive players a "shrink" to help them over this mental block that they dont have to hit when Halladay,Cole, and Little Roy pitch. Because that is a real and very serious issue going into next year.79 games this year when th eoffense scored 3 runs or less.— argonne- jerryaw2, I get it. Having to put up with Giant fans all year is not something I am looking forward to. Can't wait till next yr!
- @argonne: I don't know how significant the 79 games with 3 runs or less is. That's just less than half their games...which means the majority (83) they scored more than three runs. However, I do agree with you that this year, the offense hid their bats behind the arms of Halladay, Hamels and Oswalt. Even in post-game interviews during the postseason, we never heard, "We need to hit tomorrow" or "We (the offense) need to get going." It was always, "I'm glad we have [insert name of H2O] pitching for us tomorrow." Hopefully, the shame and embarrassment of being bounced from the NLCS -- when they were expected to win it all and should have won it all -- will motivate our "core" players next year.— AmyC822
- The no-hitter in Game One of the NLDS was unforgettable!! No one can take that away. Thanks Roy! Looking forward to 2011.— TripleOption
- Thank you Roy, the city of Philly loves you!!!!!— dawn7974
We are so lucky to have him, but I feel bad for him. He deserves a better team.- What a GREAT guy! So glad he's a Phillie. We'll get 'em next year Roy! GO PHILLIES!!!— finallygot1
- Thanks Roy for a great year. You were a pleasure to watch. Can't wait til next year!— bossrjc
- Thanks Roy for a great year. You were a pleasure to watch. Can't wait til next year!— bossrjc
- Roy, you frequently use the phrase that coming to Philly was a "dream come true". Well, for all of us fans to have the chance to root for such a classy, hard-working man is a dream come true for all of us. I recall when we acquired you how many Blue Jay fans found their way to this site to tell us just what we had received in you. They wrote that you weren't just the best pitcher out there but that you were the best in character and class. They were so, so right. I'm thrilled to death that my children and I have the chance to root for someone so deserving.
Can't wait for next year. Already miss baseball more than I can say.— advantasux - Thanks Doc...you made this year really special for this fan..keep the faith, you guys will be right back in the thick of things next year!— merlinknghts
- I only missed watching three Phillies games this year and was only able to attend just one, but made sure it was one that Roy was pitching. My 10 year old boy and I went and it was the June 25th game in Philadelphia against Toronto beating them 9-0. What a game, to see Roy pitching against his former team. Roy you were amazing to watch all year, and I said before the playoffs began, the one person that I will be sad for if we don't go all the way is Roy Halladay. I wish that the Phils could of stepped it up and scored more runs, but it is what it is and by reading this article and the quotes that you made, I am glad you are happy with what you did accomplish by coming to this team. We are good fans and appreciate hard work, you are everything I thought you would be, a class act and we are so lucky to have you in a Phillies uniform. I am truly missing baseball already, it is the one thing my son and I really enjoy together as Mother and son,withdrawal from baseball stinks. I can't wait for it all to start all over again and go for another amazing ride with you on the mound!!!! Enjoy your time off with your family!— truphilsfan
- ROY HALLADAY YOU ARRRRRRE THE MANNNNNNN— templeowl08
