Fellow athletes, politicians and baseball fans are reacting with shock and sadness to the death of pitcher Roy Halladay, who was killed in a plane crash at the age of 40.
Chris Nocco, the Sherriff of Pasco County, Fla., remembered his friend as “probably one of the most humble human beings you'll ever meet.”
"For somebody who won two Cy Youngs, as I said one of the greatest pitchers in baseball, he would walk in the room as if he was just anybody,” Nocco told reporters Tuesday. “It didn't matter who he met. He was kind and generous.”
“Here’s the true being of Roy,” Nocco added. “You wouldn’t know what Roy did because Roy would never tell you what he did and that is the legacy of a great man.”
Duane Ward, who pitched for the Blue Jays in the years before Halladay was drafted, says that he saw his old friend recently and he hadn’t changed much.
Ward told CTV News Channel that Halladay was a perfectionist. “He wanted to be good as he could be on that given day,” he said.
“His relentless hard work constantly pushed him forward to be better and better and better,” Ward added. “And it wasn’t about him. Everybody says it. Roy was always about team, team, team. How can I help this team win ballgames?”
Off the field, Halladay was soft-spoken, approachable and always ready to talk about how to improve the game, according to Ward. “The game of baseball is a little worse off without Ray being here,” he added.
At a press conference Tuesday, former Philadelphia Phillies president David Montgomery also remarked on Halladay’s work effort, commitment to his teammates and soft-spoken nature.
“He didn’t lead with his voice,” Montgomery said. “He led with his example. I think that’s also what made him such a good teammate.”
Montgomery characterized the late athlete as an “all-star pitcher, all-star person, all-star father and family man.”
Matheu Nelson, who shared a video of himself flying with Halladay on Saturday, issued a statement calling him an “unbelievable man.”
“Roy is a man you can count on to be there and he'll be dearly missed,” the young baseball player wrote.
“I loved the man the more I got to know him,” Nelson went on. “Roy wasn't just a role model to many kids but he was a father figure to others that he impacted too. He will be dearly missed.”
Former teammates and other athletes took to Twitter to note that Halladay was a worthwhile competitor and an inspiration.
Watching Roy Halladay was one of the reasons I️ fell in love with pitching. Absolutely heartbreaking news. Prayers for his family
— Ben Heller (@BenHeller21) November 7, 2017
RIP Roy 'DOC' Halladay
RIP...Roy Halladay one of the greatest teammates I have had the privilege the play with. Our prayers are with his wife and 2 boys!
— Kevin Millar (@KMillar15) November 7, 2017— Aaron Sanchez (@A_Sanch41) November 7, 2017RIP Roy Halladay.. a Toronto legend! Growing up I used to love watching Doc play, sad day for Toronto sports fans
— Tristan Thompson (@RealTristan13) November 7, 2017
In shock over the terrible news about Roy Halladay... a pitcher I grew up admiring & rooting for. Praying for his family & friends. #RIPDoc
— Mike Trout (@MikeTrout) November 7, 2017
I’m stunned. I just landed,opened up my phone,and saw the news about Roy Halladay. What a competitor, pitcher, and a humble Father. #RIP
— Paul Lo Duca (@paulloduca16) November 7, 2017
RIP to Roy Halladay. When I played baseball, I always wanted to pitch like “Doc”.
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) November 7, 2017
We were together in this journey as Canadian Baseball Hall of Famers, now you are gone. RIP Roy Halladay pic.twitter.com/x5Vv0r8djx
— Vladimir Guerrero (@VladGuerrero27) November 7, 2017
Heart is broken to hear about Roy Halladay .great friend, teammate, father and husband. One of the best teammates ever! You will be missed !
— Roy Oswalt (@royoswalt44net) November 7, 2017
Absolutely stunned & saddened by news of Roy Halladay passing.Amazing guy & toughest pitcher I’ve ever faced. Unreal.Praying for his family.
— Sean Casey (@TheMayorsOffice) November 7, 2017
Baseball writers told stories of their personal interactions. One recalled Halladay’s retirement message about trying to “leave baseball better than I found it.”
My favorite Halladay story... the Phillies have a bell in their weight room. That would only be wrung if a player completed the Roy Halladay work out. To this day, Doc is the only one that has completed it.
— Jack Fritz (@Jack_Fritz34) November 7, 2017
Roy Halladay was kind to me when I was just starting out. An all-star being generous with a nervous cub reporter is the kind of thing you never forget. Rest in peace, Doc.
— Molly Knight (@molly_knight) November 7, 2017
On the day Roy Halladay retired, he said: “My goal is to try and leave baseball better than I found it." That's the essence of who he was.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 7, 2017
Roy Halladay still leads all of baseball in complete games since 2009.
— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) November 7, 2017
Politicians also went on Twitter to express their sadness at the loss.
Great pitcher and super guy gone too soon. RIP, Roy Halladay. pic.twitter.com/NKoU8R0xpv
— Norm Kelly (@norm) November 7, 2017
Shocking news out of Florida. Saddened to hear that we've lost @BlueJays #legend, @RoyHalladay. Will never forget seeing the Doc dominate on the mound here in Toronto. #CyYoung pic.twitter.com/25KxOWj0q3
— John Tory (@JohnTory) November 7, 2017
Devastating news about Toronto @bluejays legend @RoyHalladay. The 'doc' was truly one of our all-time greats. #RIP
— Patrick Brown (@brownbarrie) November 7, 2017