Jim McIsaac/Getty Images(DADE CITY, Fla.) — Former MLB star pitcher Roy Halladay was killed in a small plane crash off the coast of Florida, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday afternoon.
He was in a single-engine plane with two seats, according to officials. Halladay was the only passenger on the plane at the time, officials said.
Officials are working on recovering the debris from the plane, the sheriff’s office said. The specifics of the crash are under investigation.
“The worst-case scenario happened and it breaks our hearts,” Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said. “Roy was the most down-to-earth person.”
Halladay loved to fly and often talked about refurbishing planes, the sheriff’s office said.
Halladay spent 16 seasons in the MLB, playing for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies.
He was an eight-time All-Star and won the Cy Young Award in 2003 and 2010. During the regular season in 2010, Halladay pitched a perfect game against the then-Florida Marlins. Later that year during the playoffs, Halladay pitched a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds. It was only the second no-hitter in postseason history.
Halladay led the league twice in victories with 22 wins in 2003 and 21 in 2010.
Halladay retired from baseball in 2013. He has an impressive win-loss record of 203-105 with a career 3.38 ERA and 2,117 strikeouts.
The MLB wrote on Twitter, “We are saddened by the tragic news that Roy Halladay, 2-time Cy Young Award winner & 8-time All-Star, has died in a plane crash. He was 40.”
The Phillies said in a statement, “We are numb over the very tragic news. … There are no words to describe the sadness that the entire Phillies family is feeling over the loss of one of the most respected human beings to ever play the game.”
This story is developing. Please check back for more updates.
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