Former MLB star Roy Halladay dead after plane crash

Starter Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Citizens Bank Park on September 12, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) (Photo: Drew Hallowell, 2013 Getty Images)

HOLIDAY, Fla. -- Authorities say former MLB pitcher Roy Halladay is dead after his plane crashed in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday.

The plane -- an ICON A5 light sport aircraft -- crashed 10 miles west of St. Petersburg at about 1 p.m., the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said, CBS Tampa affiliate WTSP-TV reports. 

The Philadelphia Phillies issued a statement saying the club is "numb over the very tragic news" of Halladay's "untimely death."

"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. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we pass along our condolences to Brandy, Ryan and Braden," the statement said.


A viewer sent WTSP-TV video of the wreckage that showed the same plane posted in images and video to Halladay's Twitter account.

ICON Aircraft featured Halladay in an October article about him receiving the first 2018 model of the plane.

"I've been dreaming about flying since I was a boy but was only able to become a pilot once I retired from baseball," Halladay said in the article.

The company said they were notified of the crash and they are investigating the incident.

Halladay was a former eight-time All-Star and two-time Cy Young Award winner.

He pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1998 to 2009 and played with the Philadelphia Phillies from 2010-2013. 


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