BlueClaws Mourn Passing of Roy Halladay

The BlueClaws mourn the passing of baseball legend Roy Halladay, who made a rehab appearance with the BlueClaws in 2013.
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The BlueClaws join the baseball community and the Phillies family in mourning the passing of Roy Halladay, who died on Tuesday at the age of 40. Halladay, acquired in December of 2009, made a rehab appearance with the BlueClaws on August 20th, 2013. 
The appearance was announced three days prior to the game and anticipation covered the Jersey Shore. Reserve seats were quickly sold out and the grass berms were packed with fans who wanted to see the two-time Cy Young Award winner pitch at FirstEnergy Park. 
GALLERY - Roy Halladay at FirstEnergy Park

Halladay allowed two runs, one earned, over six innings of work, in a game the BlueClaws would go on to win 3-2, scoring the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. 

After the appearance was over, Halladay talked to the throng of media that came out to see him pitch, but also made sure to sign autographs to the large contingent of fans in attendance that night. 
Tweet from @moylan_kyle: @Phillies @BlueClaws After he pitched rehab game for Lakewood, Halladay stayed for hours to sign and chat with everyone. And I do mean hours. He waved off police escort and told everyone that he woud stay as long as it took. Really seemed to be enjoying himself. Tremendous man.
Tweet from @AndrewQuinnNJ: Was there that night as I have season tickets. Lakewood PD offered to move us out of the way Roy declined and signed for everyone. Prayers 🙏
Dave Schofield, who at the time was the BlueClaws team photographer, remembered the night. 
"He was a bonafide star when he got there. Yet he never acted like he was anything more than a ballplayer," said Schofield. "He helped the younger players, was good to the fans and the media and polite to everyone. When this old photographer asked if he could get a few photos he said, 'Sure, just tell me what you want me to do. I think you've been doing this a lot longer than I have.' Class and humility all the way. The world lost a good man today."
Halladay would go on to make six more starts that year with the Phillies, the final six appearances of his brilliant career. 
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Other sidebars from that night included: 

• 2013 Phillies first-round pick SS JP Crawford had joined the BlueClaws several days prior while the team was in Delmarva. This game marked his first home game as a BlueClaw.
• The first 2,000 fans that night received a Jake Diekman Bobble Side-Arm. 

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2017 BlueClaws LHP Nick Fanti got to meet and work with Halladay during Spring Training this year. 
Tweet from @fanti_nick: #RIP34 pic.twitter.com/jF3S2BUZGx
The BlueClaws send our deepest sympathies to the Halladay family and the Phillies family. 
- BlueClaws -