Phillies' Halladay draws a crowd in minor-league outing
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Once Roy Halladay walked away from the bullpen mound and toward one of the fields at the Carpenter Complex for his one-day sojourn in minor-league camp, Josh Zeid and Colby Shreve quickly inspected the dirt his feet touched.
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Once Roy Halladay walked away from the bullpen mound and toward one of the fields at the Carpenter Complex for his one-day sojourn in minor-league camp, Josh Zeid and Colby Shreve quickly inspected the dirt his feet touched.
It was as if Big Foot had left his mark, the two minor-league pitchers decided. Zeid stepped on the mound and attempted to re-create the landing spot of Halladay's left foot. He almost fell over.
The other young pitchers milling around laughed and shook their heads in amazement.
This was an event, a show-and-tell day of sorts. Here was Halladay, the reigning Cy Young Award winner and author of a perfect game and postseason no-hitter, taking a left turn out of the Phillies clubhouse to the back fields instead of a right onto Bright House Field.
The Phillies had a rare day off Wednesday, so to stay on his normal schedule, Halladay pitched five innings in a minor-league game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In those five innings, he threw 80 pitches and allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits while striking out three and walking one.
"As long as you feel you're getting something out if it," Halladay said, "I don't think it matters where you throw."
It mattered to a bunch of Phillies minor-leaguers. Most of them found out Tuesday that Halladay would be coming over for the day. Upon arriving at the complex Wednesday morning, the pitchers discovered regular fielding practice had been canceled.
It was a not-so-subtle hint they were expected to be doing something else. Righthander Michael Schwimer said just about everyone understood immediately.
"Oh my God, so excited," Schwimer said.
Shortly after 12:30 p.m., Halladay met with his catcher - Tuffy Gosewisch, whom he personally requested for the day - and pitching coach Rich Dubee down the left-field line.
Seven minutes later, as Halladay began his long tossing exercises, four minor-league pitchers sat nearby and watched intently. The group soon grew to eight more pitchers along with triple-A pitching coach Rod Nichols and assistant general manager Chuck LaMar.
"What's going on over there?" one coach facetiously yelled.
As Halladay migrated to the bullpen to throw his warm-up pitches, Nichols tapped Zeid, a 23-year-old righthander who spent 2010 at single-A Lakewood, on the shoulder. He pointed out a lesson to learn from Halladay's delivery.
Soon, the pack became even larger, with at least 30 minor-leaguers watching Halladay throw. A bunch stood behind the righthander. He noticed the observers.
"Claustrophobic," he joked.
"It's good. I remember watching guys come down when I was in the minor leagues. And whether they learn something or not is not really a huge deal. Just being able to see guys is good. I got to see that Pat Hentgen and those guys weren't that much different than myself. They were regular people. I think it's good to be around those guys."
Halladay has been an active ambassador to minor-league camp before. Last spring, he spoke to many of the pitchers. Earlier this winter, Halladay attended a minicamp for select young Phillies pitchers and distributed copies of The Mental ABCs of Pitching by Harvey Dorfman, the book he says saved his career.
Wednesday was a day for Halladay to take another step toward his opening-day start April 1 at Citizens Bank Park. And maybe it inspired or helped a minor-league pitcher in some way.
Halladay said he didn't mind the extra eyes during his preparation. It was just like warming up in an opposing ballpark, where the fans are right on top of the pitcher.
"Yeah," Halladay said, "except they weren't heckling me."
Extra bases. J. Mahlon "Jim" Buck, Jr., a limited partner in the Phillies ownership group, died Tuesday night, the team said. "Jim provided direction and consistent support for many of us in this organization," team president David Montgomery said in a statement. "His wise counsel and warm friendship will be sorely missed." . . . Brad Lidge (biceps tendinitis) played catch Wednesday, and there was no indication of any issues. He could throw a bullpen Thursday. . . . The Phillies are back in action Thursday at home against Toronto. They will wear green hats and jerseys for St. Patrick's Day. Cliff Lee starts.
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