Hamels, Rollins, Utley Reflect on Halladay’s Hall of Fame Election

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The life of Roy Halladay, although always remembered since his tragic death in November of 2017, is being even more so celebrated Tuesday evening, as the late, perennial All-Star and Cy Young Award candidate was announced as being among the 2019 Baseball Hall of Fame class.

Along with his wife, Brandy, many former teammates of Halladay's, including Cole Hamels, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley, reflected on Doc's Hall of Fame election shortly after the announcement on MLB Network.

Cole Hamels

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"I consider myself very fortunate to have played alongside Roy. He defined work ethic and how to prepare yourself to win. He wasn't about the spotlight and never wanted to take credit away from his teammates. He now finally gets the credit he deserves. He completely reinvented himself in order to succeed at the major league level and in a game of failure he didn't lose much. If you did beat him, he would make sure you never did again.

There's a part of him that I take with me every time I prepare for my games and step out onto that mound. I congratulate Brandy, Braden and Ryan on Roy Halladay's election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He had such an amaing impact on so many baseball players and future stars."

Jimmy Rollins

“Congratulations to Roy and the Halladay family on Roy’s induction into baseball’s Hall of Fame, a place you knew he was destined for if you ever had the opportunity to witness his dominance! The days Doc would take the ball you knew you had to be your very best because there was zero doubt in anyone’s mind that you would receive anything less from him! When Roy decided to come to Philadelphia, it was for one reason, to win a championship, and we wanted nothing more than to share in that moment of glory with him. Although we never accomplished that with him, it doesn’t take away from all that he was able to accomplish during his career.

Anyone that has ever heard the name Roy Halladay wishes he were here for us all to celebrate this moment of greatness and give thanks for the many memories he gave us on the playing field but even more importantly the ones we all got to create when he took off his Superman cape, gave that big ol’ cheesy smile and made you feel like you had known him all your life!  Congrats Doc, you are forever enshrined in baseball greatness!”

Chase Utley

“One of the great pleasures of my career was being able to play behind a man like Roy Halladay. He was fierce. He was competitive. He was focused. But, most of all, he was great. Not just a great player but also a great teammate and a great friend. On the field, Roy wanted nothing more than to bring another championship to Philadelphia. Off the field, he wanted nothing more than to be the best husband and father he could be.

He was someone I admired then and still do today. Jen and I send not just our congratulations to Brandy, Braden and Ryan, but also our thanks for sharing Roy with us and the city of Philadelphia."

Halladay's election to the Hall comes on the same day as his friend and once teammate Carlos Ruiz's 40th birthday. Doc will be forever enshrined in Cooperstown this July.

For more reaction on Halladay's Hall of Fame nod from John Middleton, David Montgomery, Charlie Manuel, Ruben Amaro Jr., Rich Dubee, Mike Schmidt, Jim Thome, Roy Oswalt, Joe Blanton, Raul Ibanez, Jayson Werth, Kyle Kendrick, Brad Lidge, Jamie Moyer, and Kevin Frandsen, visit Phillies.com.