If you ask someone outside of Philadelphia what play comes to mind when they think of the Phillies, it's probably not Tug McGraw closing out the 1980 World Series or Brad Lidge doing the same in 2008.
Instead, it's likely the final out of Roy Halladay's postseason no-hitter in the 2010 NLDS, which made him just the second pitcher in major league history to throw a no-hitter in the playoffs.
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But for as much as the Cincinnati Reds really didn't come close to recording a hit against Halladay for the first 8 2/3 innings of his postseason debut, all was nearly lost on the final play of the game.
Halladay carved up a lineup that featured that year's National League MVP in Joey Votto, along with multiple-time All-Stars Scott Rolen and Jay Bruce. Brandon Phillips -- who finished his career with three All-Star Game appearances himself -- hit a swinging bunt down the first base line as Halladay attempted to secure the final out in what turned out to be a career-defining performance.
When asked to recall the moment Sunday, Phillies left fielder Raúl Ibañez looked anxious just thinking about the final play of Halladay's postseason no-hitter. Catcher Carlos Ruiz -- who caught a National League record four no-hitters in his career, including Halladay's perfect game in May of 2010 -- admitted that he tightened up a bit as he scrambled to field the nubber off the bat of Phillips.
"He said he gets anxious [thinking about it] because he thought he came out too aggressively and the ball was kind of caught behind him and he had to get around and get on top of it," Ruiz said through Ibañez, who translated for him. "He said he was thinking 'If i mess it up, I screw this whole thing up.'"
Ruiz ultimately was able to make the play, firing the ball down to first baseman Ryan Howard to complete Halladay's historic performance.
More Notes On Roy Halladay
- The Phillies retired Halladay's No. 34 Sunday, allowing the Hall of Famer to join an exclusive group of players with numbers retired by the franchise: Richie Ashburn, Jim Bunning, Dick Allen, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Robin Roberts, Grover Cleveland Alexander and Chuck Klein.
- When Bryce Harper signed a 13-year/$330 million deal with the Phillies ahead of the 2019 season, he elected to leave his No. 34 in D.C., switching to No. 3 as he said he didn't think anyone else should wear the number that Halladay donned in Philadelphia. I asked Harper after yesterday's victory over the New York Mets to reflect on Halladay, who he did get a chance to face during his first two major league seasons:
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