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 “flying his Icon A5, a two-person, single engine amphibian plane when the plane went down” in the Gulf of Mexico, the sheriff’s office said.
Halladay was the only passenger on the plane at the time, officials said.
The sheriff’s office said the National Transportation Safety Board is taking over the 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.”
PHOTO: Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay pitches during a game between Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals, May 23, 2008.Toronto Star via Getty Images, FILE
Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay pitches during a game between Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals, May 23, 2008.
“He was a good friend to our agency and a charitable member of our community,” the sheriff’s office said. “We are grateful and blessed to have known this incredible friend.”
Halladay loved to fly and often talked about refurbishing planes, the sheriff’s office said.
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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