For those of you who haven’t heard, Roy Halladay pitched a perfect game on Saturday, May 29 for the Philadelphia Phillies, only the twentieth perfect game in Major League Baseball history. After having the honor of interviewing Roy and his wife Brandy Halladay at the Congress last year for GoHorseShow.com, all of us at GHS are huge fans! Ironically, I was attending a show in Harlansburg, Pennsylvania with a bunch of ecstatic Phillies fans Saturday night when he made history.
Unfortunately, my very sweet friend could not be on hand in Miami to watch her husband pitch against the Marlins. Instead, Brandy was showing in Tampa with my beloved godmother, Patty Shortino (pictured here). According to Brandy, she and Patty laughed that they were forced to watch the game of Roy’s lifetime unfold on television at a friend’s BBQ. Patty and Brandy were ready to call it a night and head back to check the horses when Brandy realized that her husband was in the midst of a perfect game going through five innings.
By the time the seventh inning rolled around, Brandy was in “Are you kidding me?” mode. Her prolific husband was still perfect. In the back of her mind, however, she recalled the fateful day of 9/27/98 when Roy was pitching against the Detroit Tigers. With two outs in the ninth inning, the Tigers brought in a pinch hitter who robbed Roy of joining the very exclusive “Perfect” club that day.
Brandy, who truly has nerves of steel, and is the perfect complement to her famous husband, had to admit that she started to push the PANIC button as Roy had but one out to go in the ninth yesterday. Even the next day when I spoke with her, Brandy’s voice was still vibrating with excitement, and it was simply a thrill to hear her personal perspective first hand. When the Marlins brought in a pinch hitter, Brandy admits that the Tigers game was weighing heavily on her mind from 20 years ago on this crucial final out. Although she describes that the last out was not “pretty” and “not easy”, the Phillies third basemen saved the game and helped put Roy into the archives of perfection.
Well, Brandy’s call just made my whole day, what was to happen a few hours later was purely mind-boggling. Can you believe with his hugely busy schedule that the always humble Roy took the time to call me between games today to answer some questions for GoHorseShow.com? (Thank you, Brandy – you are my hero!) This is, after all, the same guy who received a congratulatory call from Vice President, Joe Biden right after the game! Talk about a thrill for this reporter.
I had to ask Roy about what he thought when Brandy admitted she was in the panic mode. He laughed thoughtfully and said, “I definitely think it’s harder to watch than to play. For me, it’s a lot different because it’s fun.” Talk about nerves of steel. It was so nice to hear someone who truly loves what they do as much as Roy.
Roy was quick to point out that he “LOVES” Philadelphia, and that “the fans are unbelievable.” When I asked Roy what it was like to be in the company of the likes of Cy Young, he said with the utmost humility, “It’s cool. It’s something that doesn’t happen a lot. It’s a great achievement that I will always look back on.” By now, I was so overwhelmed with excitement that I practically botched the rest of my interview. Can you imagine me – tongue tied? Well, I think the only thing I said from there on out was blah, thanks so much, blah, I appreciate the call, blah, congratulations. Sorry, Roy!
After I finally regained my composure, I had to taunt Roy with one of my “Hotseat” questions. When I asked what he would do if “Dancing with the Stars” came calling, I could feel him blushing through the phone lines. Roy suggested that he would be “very bad” and “the first one voted off.” Sorry to disagree, but I think to the contrary.
This is America, and good guys don’t finish last. Hope the producers of DWTS come calling because you are number one in my book. Your loyal GHS.com fans will be there to vote, along with your legions of followers.
One last side note…with her phone “dinging” off the hook following the big game, Brandy said that it wasn’t until about an hour later that she finally heard from Roy. At that point, she was finally able to take the moment in, and feel relief for her husband. However, instead of talking about himself, do you know what Roy said? “Good luck at the horse show.” Can you stand it, ladies? The guy really is perfect, not just on the pitcher’s mound! In all fairness, however, I have to admit, that I kind of think Brandy is perfect too. A few weeks ago, she took the time out of her extremely hectic schedule to help one of my little cousins with a major project for his class. So to Roy and Brandy – You deserve all the great things that come your way.
Roy promises that he will stop in and see us at the Congress again this year. I might even been able to get you a pass to the GoHorseShow.com VIP Club (wink wink)! In the meantime, special thanks to Roy, Brandy, and my Godparents, Patty and Joey Shortino, for making this story possible. (Catch Roy at home on Friday against San Diego.)
