Earlier today, 2-time Cy Young Award winner and 8-time All Star Roy Halladay announced his retirement from Major League Baseball. After pitching in 16 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies, Halladay signed a one day contract with the Blue Jays, a fitting end to a career that was defined by greatness while spending 12 seasons in Toronto.

Roy Halladay's last two seasons have been nothing short of a nightmare. Between battling shoulder problems and a recurring back issue, watching him try to pitch through the pain was upsetting for any baseball fan to watch. He was a shell of his former self, so it makes sense for him to call it a career.

The 11-year arc of Roy Halladay's career, between 2001 and 2011, was one of the most impressive runs in modern baseball history. His winning percentage over that time was an outstanding .692, with a record of 175-78 and an ERA of 2.98. He also pitched a no-hitter in his postseason debut in 2010 with the Philadelphia Phillies, making him only the second pitcher ever to accomplish that feat in the playoffs.

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While the writers in charge of voting on Hall Of Fame inductees tend to be snobby and base most of their ballot on benchmark numbers, there is no reason why Roy Halladay shouldn't be inducted in Cooperstown on his first ballot. Any Major League pitcher with over 300 victories is automatically considered to be a shoe-in in his first year of Hall Of Fame eligibility. Roy Halladay retired with only 203 victories.

Despite Halladay falling 97 victories short of 300 wins, there is no arguing that he dominated the game during the period he pitched in, which to me, is what truly makes a baseball player an all-time great. Keep in mind Roy Halladay put up these numbers during much of the steroid era. Not to mention he spent his entire career playing in home ballparks that are hitter friendly.

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