Phillies: Ode To Roy

It's times like these that make a boy want to sing! (And if you don't know the tune this boy is singing, shame on you. And turn in your gay card if you own one.)


Halladay, celebrate
Halladay, celebrate


Yeah, we've got Roy Halladay
It's our time to dominate
Dream of one more parade
As the Phils, the Phils got it made
Everybody spread the word
We'll have another celebration
All across the town
In Phillies Nation
It's time for Doc-tober
The Reds will soon be over, oh yeah
Braves or Giants, say adieu
And those AL losers too
'Cause we've got Halladay...

Just about everyone expected Roy Halladay would thrive under playoff pressure, though some thought that it might be more difficult for him since he hasn't been in the postseason before, and others worried about his workload (leading the majors in innings pitched).

No one could have expected him to pitch just the second no-hitter in postseason history, beating the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 in Game 1 of the NL Division Series.
The only baserunner for the Reds came via a 5th inning walk to Jay Bruce. Halladay threw a strike on the first pitch to 25 of the 28 hitters he faced, striking out eight Reds. The only ball that was really hit hard was off the bat of Reds' pitcher Travis Wood, who entered the game in relief of ineffective starter Edinson Volquez.

And it only took him 104 pitches. It's hard to believe he could pitch any better -- except for the fact that he already did, with his perfect game in May. Besides joining Don Larsen (perfect game in the 1956 World Series) on the very short list of pitchers who've thrown a no-hitter in the postseason, Halladay is the 5th pitcher to throw two no-hitters in the same season.

Oh, and he singled home a run in the second inning. In other words, he had more hits than he allowed.

What can he do for an encore?