Orioles’ Kevin Gausman Announces Plans to Honor the Late Roy Halladay

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman reveals a season-long plan to honor the late Roy Halladay, who tragically passed away in November.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman was just 12 years old when the late Roy Halladay earned his first Cy Young Award in 2003 as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Now, nearly 15 years later, Kevin Gausman will change his jersey number from No. 39 to No. 34 to honor one of the greatest pitchers ever to play the game.

Halladay, 40, tragically passed away on Nov. 7 after a devastating plane crash just outside of St. Petersburg, Florida, per Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.  The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office reported via Facebook that Halladay’s Icon A5 plane crashed into the Gulf of Mexico and no Mayday calls were made.

Plane Crash Updated Information:It is with a heavy heart we confirm the man inside the plane, which crashed into the…

Posted by Pasco Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, November 7, 2017

The eight-time All-Star was an ardent pilot and was a close member of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Likewise, Halladay was an active member of his community and provided the funds to give Pasco Sheriff’s Office a K9.

The MLB family is deeply saddened by the loss of Halladay as players pay homage and tribute the dominant right-handed pitcher. For Orioles starter Kevin Gausman, he will sport No. 34 to honor Halladay for the 2018 season.

As a native of Centennial, Colorado, Gausman grew up watching Halladay who was born in Denver and was drafted out of Arvada West High School in Colorado. Gausman went on to express the rarity of Colorado baseball players in MLB.

Gausman went on Twitter to announce his jersey number change, along with a tribute messaging to his idol, Roy Halladay:

In a phone interview with MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli, Gausman added to the brotherhood of Colorado-born MLB players:

"There’s a flurry of young players from Colorado, and they’re getting taken more seriously now. He really put us on the map, and we’re going to do our best to keep us there."

In addition, the article stated Gausman came to the realization that he had no connection to his prior jersey number (No. 39).

The LSU baseball star contacted Orioles home equipment manager Chris Guth for his number change request. The Orioles staff had no issue with the request, making it a seamless process for Gausman.

The Remarkable Career of Roy Halladay

In a storied 16-year career, Halladay achieved a long list of awe-inspiring accomplishments, awards, and statistics.

Some of his many career feats include:

• Two-time Cy Young Award winner,
• Eight All-Star appearances,
• Two top 10 finishes in MVP voting results
• Three seasons with 20 or more wins
• Second player in MLB history to toss a no-hitter in the postseason

Even more, on May 29, 2010, against the Florida Marlins, Halladay tossed the 20th perfect game in MLB history.

Twelve of Halladay’s 16 MLB seasons were spent with the Toronto Blue Jays. His career stats with the Blue Jays included 148 wins in 2,046.2 innings pitched with a 3.43 ERA. Lastly, Halladay finished his captivating career in the National League with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Next: Orioles Fielding Calls on Superstar Manny Machado

Kevin Gausman, the Baltimore Orioles, and the entire MLB family will celebrate the unforgettable career of Roy Halladay throughout the 2018 season and beyond.