Roy Halladay

What a classy guy!

From the day he pitched his first game for the Jays (almost a no hitter) against the Tigers, Roy Halladay has exemplified the meaning of "Class" as a professional athlete. No body pircings etc., no holdouts, works hard, doesn't yap, just goes about doing his business without fanfare. A remarkable role model to younger players, he is one of the best pitchers in all of major league baseball and it should come as no surprise that an extension of his contract was negotiated without any media attention or the accompanying threats that unless he received a contract, he was leaving next year. Instead, Toronto fans opened the papers today to learn that he is signed through 2010 and he will be one of the few modern day athletes who will complete his career where he started - as a Toronto Blue Jay.

Halladay has not been without trying moments, After a terrific start, he ended up struggling and was sent to the minors to regain his confidence and learn to pitch. He didn't complain, but did as asked and came back into the lineup a better pitcher. I never heard him say that Management was mistaken or that he was being dealth with unfairly. An when he returned, he was here to stay. He battled injuries more often than opposing batters but one Cy Young later and several close calls he remains a model athlete and one that Toronto fans should embrace as being one of the best that this city has seen.

What a classy guy!