I Can't Get No (Cy Youngs/Rings)

By Tom Nieradka

Editorial. Photos by AP News

Poor Roy Halladay. I know, I know, how can we call someone making over 10 million dollars every year poor? Well for this gentleman living and playing up in America’s hat, the money isn’t everything. Apparently he loves it up in Toronto (for some reason). Maybe it’s because he was born in Denver and likes the cold weather.

Or maybe it’s because since 1998 the only team that he has played for has been the Toronto Blue Jays. But the reason that he stays up there certainly isn’t because they’re winning. The Jays currently sit and 44-46, an all too familiar ratio in recent memory (and even a little before that). In fact, the Jays haven’t won the AL East since 1993 when they managed to win the world series. It’s tough to believe considering they have one of the best pitchers in the game who, regrettably, can’t get any love in the land of the maple leaf.

It’s tough to argue that since his breakout year in 2002 that Halladay hasn’t been one of the most consistent and productive pitchers in the game. He’s managed two 20 game win seasons (and one 19), posting high strikeout numbers, low walks, and only one season with an ERA over 4 (with four seasons under 3.00). And even today, at the ripe old age of 32, he still hasn’t lost a bit of his dominance.

In a recent poll of 11 former and current MLB players by ESPN, almost all of them (7) considered the best hitter/pitcher matchup in the game today to be Halladay v. Pujols. And now with the Jays shopping him around, the asking price is almost hilarious. Besides eating the 15 million he is due next season, the team getting Halladay would likely have to give up top hitting and pitching prospects, as well as proven young MLB players. But he’s worth it; he is the guy to build a rotation, and a team around. So after all that praise, why am I still feeling bad for the old Doc Halladay?

Poor Harry Halladay (Harry is his real name, go figure) has only one Cy Young to his name. He won it during his ridiculous 2003 where he went 22-7, with a 3.25 ERA and 204 K’s. But how did he not win it in 2002 (19-7, 2.93 ERA, 168 K), or even in 2008 (20-11, 2.78, 206 K)? Or in any of his great years where the only thing holding him back were the low win totals? Well, a lot of this blame can be attributed to the Blue Jays. They don’t get him wins because they have been bad since he joined them.

Just go ask Johan Santana about this syndrome; for some reason when he pitches the Mets hitting decides to go out for coffee and take the day off. The other side of the story is that no matter how good Halladay was, someone was always better at the time. In his great 2002, Barry Zito and his insane curve ball managed to go 23-5, with a 2.75 ERA and 182 K’s; just a little bit better than the Doc. And in 2008? The apparent one year wonder Cliff Lee, who went 22-3, with a 2.54 ERA and 170 Ks. I think we can still make a case for Roy there. And all the other years? Johan grabbed two (deservingly so), Mr. I-disremember-the-situation-Clemens stole one, and big fat Bartolo Colon (and also pretty fat CC Sabathia) took the others. But Cy Young awards aside, it could all be forgotten if he had a few World Series rings right?

Well unfortunately, our boy Roy has never even been to the playoffs. One of the best pitchers of our time, loyal to his lowly Blue Jays and never with a bad word to say about anyone, can’t really carry his team to the playoffs alone. Well all this is about to change (hopefully).

Apparently the Blue Jays GM is feeling as bad for Halladay as we all are, and decided to try to give him a chance. The Blue Jays need prospects, and are not planning on winning anytime soon. And as bad is it would be for the Mets, I hope that Halladay heads to Philly. Getting Halladay over there would almost guarantee a playoff berth, and probably even another World Series appearance and a good chance at a repeat.

It would be odd for anyone to see Halladay out of the familiar white and blue into Phillies red, but I’m betting that he would find it a welcome change.

Oh, and that no trade clause that he has….I wouldn’t worry about him pulling a Peavy and enacting that anytime soon.