Beasley's Commentary: Witnessing History

We witnessed history Wednesday night.

Roy Doc Halladay came out blazing, joining Don Larson as the only men to pitch a no-hitter in a playoff game. Larson's 1956 perfect game came out of nowhere.

Larson played for seven franchises and posted only two 10 wins seasons. The very definition of a journeyman, his perfect game in the subway series pitting the Yankees vs. the Brooklyn Dodgers shocked the baseball world and made him a legend.

By contrast, Doc has been a top performer his entire career. He left Toronto to go on a journey very different from the sojourn taken by Larson. He left for a chance to test himself on his professions biggest stages.

Stage One is complete.

Years from now, half of Philadelphia will claim that they saw it live at Citizens Bank Park, but only 45,000+ will be telling the truth. They made a noise that Roy described as surreal. I am a former NFL Sideline Reporter for the networks and the crowd Wednesday night created a volume level that my experienced ears have never heard. The Bank was on fire with spirit.

I'm not sure any of us truly understands the gravity of what we witnessed Wednesday night. I am sure Roy doesn't understand the full impact of his performance.

Reds manager Dusty Baker called it the greatest playoff performance he has ever witnessed. He says his team has to just let that one go and hope it means they will get runs off Oswalt and Hamels.

Roy says there was no pressure, just the fun he associates with the opportunity to pitch in a playoff game. His focus was making each pitch and helping his team win a game. That approach keeps him from feeling the weight of game singularly on his shoulders.

BR

Thank you Roy, thanks to his teammates.

Reported By: Beasley Reece, CBS 3

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