Baseball Hall of Fame 2019: Brandy Halladay delivers emotional speech honoring late husband Roy

Alexis Mansanarez

Baseball Hall of Fame 2019: Brandy Halladay delivers emotional speech honoring late husband Roy image

Brandy Halladay honored her late husband Sunday with an emotional speech as Roy was officially enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

The former Blue Jays and Phillies pitcher died in a plane crash in November 2017. 

Roy Halladay finished with a 203-105 record and a 3.38 ERA during his 16-year MLB career.

Before Brandy Halladay's speech, there was a video shared highlighting Roy's career. She admitted she couldn't watch it just yet.

"It's overwhelming, the amount of people here today. I can't believe you came this far. I'm so grateful that you're here," she said, addressing the crowd. "This is not my speech to give. I'm going to do the best I can to say the things I believe Roy might have said or would have wanted to say if he was here today.

"The thank yous could and should go on for days when you consider the impact so many people have had on Roy's career. Thank you first to the baseball writers, for the overwhelming amount of votes that Roy received his first year on the ballot. ...

"Roy's natural talent was obviously a huge part of this. Without the unconditional and continued support from every one of you, he never could have dedicated himself to being the best ballplayer he could be. I say it a lot, but it takes a village, and we truly have a great one. ...

"There were some really amazing years, but there were really tough ones, too, and you never gave up on him. When Braden, Ryan and I decided that Roy would be inducted into the Hall of Fame with no logo on his hat, both teams quickly reached out to us, telling us how proud they were of that decision. Validating a choice that we knew in our hearts was right, was in fact the correct one. We know without a doubt had Roy been here with us today, this is the decision he would have made, and more than anything would want both organizations to know that they hold a huge place in our hearts and always will."

Prior to the ceremony, both Philadelphia and Toronto also shared touching videos remembering his storied career at each of the clubs.

Brandy Halladay continued her speech remembering a conversation with a friend and teammate of Roy's.

"I've been asked over and over, How do you think Roy would feel if he were here? I'm pretty sure we all know the answer. Of course, he would be honored and humbled," she continued. "In true Roy form, he would have quickly given any accolades or props to all of his coaches and teammates. He was a true competitor, went to the field every day ready to do whatever it took to give his team the best possible chance to win.

"In a casual conversation last summer in Philly, I was talking with a friend and teammate of Roy's, JC Romero. He said to me, Roy didn't play that way because he wanted to be in the Hall of Fame. He'll be in the Hall because of the way he played. I know that's true.

"I think Roy would rather be remembered by who he was, not what he did on the ball field. He was a very private person, often quiet and introverted, but he was also very generous and caring, the kind of man who made outrageous bets, would lose on purpose to help out a friend, the kind of brother who left cash in his pockets when he asked a sister to help with laundry, telling her she could keep whatever she found. I did the same thing, I kept what I found, too."

Roy Halladay was an eight-time All-Star and won a Cy Young in both leagues. 

"I think that Roy would want everyone to know that people are not perfect," Brandy Halladay said nearing the end of her speech. "We are all imperfect and flawed in one way or another. We all struggle, but with hard work, humility and dedication, imperfect people still can have perfect moments. Roy was blessed in his life and career to have some perfect moments. But I believe that they were only possible because of the man he strived to be, the teammate that he was, and the people he was so blessed to be on the field with."

 

Alexis Mansanarez