I was stunned to learn Halladay was addicted to opioids and painkillers. The addiction first arose when he injured his back in 2011 during his tenure with the Philadelphia Phillies. The back trouble eventually led to the shoulder injury which ended his career following the 2013 season.
Halladay entered rehab for his addiction in 2013 but ended treatment early when he feared he would be found out. He gave rehab another shot in 2015 and completed his course of treatment this time around. After his second stint in rehab, Halladay renewed his passion for flying (his father was a pilot and had taught him how to fly during his childhood). While flying filled a void left by baseball Halladay he soon envisioned himself becoming a stunt pilot and began to execute dangerous maneuvers while in flight much to the worry of his family and close friends. Sadly, he had not conquered his addiction and it would cost him his life. When Halladay perished he had been flying low and had a cocktail of painkillers in his system.
It was also revealed that Halladay had severe anxiety and would throw up before every start. Halladay conveyed an image of being focused and unflappable. Appearances can be oh so deceiving. Under the circumstances it is fitting the documentary was titled Imperfect: The Roy Halladay Story.
These revelations do not diminish his on the field accomplishments which earned him induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019, his first year of eligibility albeit posthumously. After Halladay passed in November 2017 I wrote a piece for National Review Online calling upon the BBWAA to grant him an early induction into Cooperstown. I stand by every word I wrote.
What these revelations do illustrate is that fame and fortune do not make one immune from problems nor guarantee problems can be overcome especially when they involve powerful drugs. Alas no one gets out of here alive. Sadly some of us leave this world far too soon.
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