Toronto finds apt way to honor Halladay, its departed star

TORONTO - Roy Halladay spent 12 seasons here, so the people in the Blue Jays organization fully understand his mannerisms.

The Phillies ace is excited to be back in Toronto, where he honed his skills and evolved into baseball's best pitcher. But he is focused on the task at hand, a start Saturday against his former team. A festive celebration of his time here would not suit Halladay's character.

It was the Blue Jays' idea that Halladay carry the Phillies' lineup card to home plate Friday for the series opener between the teams. This was the best way to honor their former ace, a stately - but brief - ceremony on Canada Day.

"It was great," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

"Very classy," first baseman Ryan Howard said. "For what he's done here, for the city and organization, I thought it was very nice."

The Blue Jays played a brief video tribute to Halladay on the scoreboard before he emerged with the Phillies lineup. Once the fans realized it was Halladay, they stood and cheered loudly.

The 34-year-old righthander arrived at home plate, shook hands with Jays bench coach Brian Butterfield, and talked to the umpires. After a few seconds of more cheers, Halladay turned to the crowd and tipped his cap.

On his way back to the dugout, as the cheers continued, he tipped his cap a second time.

"I thought that was great," Manuel said. "It shows what the fans think of him. It shows how good of fans Toronto has. It's a good baseball town. Everything proves that."

Those fans, many wearing Toronto Halladay No. 32 jerseys, will face a rooting dilemma Saturday.