The Other Roy Is Also an Elite Pitcher

Entering the 2011 season, this Phillies pitcher had started eight consecutive opening days, had gone undefeated in the post-season (4-0), had led the NL in ERA (2.98), had once led the NL in victories (20), had twice won 20 or more games, had a lifetime record of 150-83 for a Hall of Fame like .644 winning percentage and an equally impressive lifetime 3.18 ERA. 

This same hurler had never had a losing season in his ten major league campaigns and in nine of his seasons, had won in double digits. This estimable dart thrower had also compiled an astonishing 1666 to 467 strikeout to walk ratio and that included 32 intentional bases on balls. 

Roy Halladay? 

Well, you’ve got the first name correct, however, the man’s name is Roy Oswalt, pronounced “Owes-walt” and this 33 year-old native from Kosciusko, Miss., has been one of baseball’s elite pitchers since he broke in with the Houston Astros in 2001.

Roy Edward Oswalt, 6’ 0’ and a lean 190 lbs, was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 1996 amateur draft in the 23^rd round. Many scouts apparently viewed his miniscule frame as a less than favorable attribute, but they did not account for his bulldog tenaciousness or his fierce competitiveness, traits that have made Oswalt a three-time All-Star. 

Roy was acquired by the Phillies on Thursday, July 29^th of last year, having had waived his no-trade clause in order to join the contending Phillies. With the Houston Astros languishing near the cellar of the NL, Oswalt, a true gamer, sought to ply his trade in a city where he would have a great chance to hurl in the post-season. 

Oswalt was obtained in a trade for popular left-hander J.A. Happ and two other prospects.  Oswalt did not drag his feet as he arrived in Washington, in order to actually pitch his first game for the Phillies, on Friday evening July 30^th. 

Early in the day, manager Charlie Manuel was sitting in his hotel room conversing with some members of his coaching staff when he answered the knock on his door. In entered Roy Oswalt and Charlie gave him few instructions. All Charlie said was “I know what you can do, I’ll give you the ball every fifth day.  Now go and get some rest.” 

A brief conversation ensued and after Oswalt left the room, Charlie, a man with a pronounced Appalachian accent, turned to his coaching staff and remarked in regard to Oswalt’s Mississippi “twang”, “Gee, he’s got quite an accent there.”

Roy Oswalt would lose to the Washington Nationals later that evening. It was the last time he would lose in 2010, as Oswalt compiled an amazing 7-1 record, with a stingy 1.74 ERA, allowing a mere 53 hits in an astonishing 82.2 innings, walking 21 and striking out 73. In other words, he pitched like Roy Oswalt. 

Through games of April 27, 2011, Oswalt’s record with the Phillies is 10-2, with a 2.13 ERA and a ridiculously low 0.93 WHIP.  That would be walks and hits per nine innings, for you non-statistical folks.

On Wednesday, the Phillies announced that Oswalt would be taking a leave of absence from the club, for “personal reasons.” It has since been learned that these reasons stem from the devastating tornadoes that have struck the Gulf Coast region where Oswalt’s family resides.

Later on Wednesday, the Phillies issued an official statement which read: 

“There has been a tremendous amount of tornado activity near Roy’s home in Mississippi, resulting in several tragic deaths and significant devastation to the area. Because of this, Roy is concerned about his family’s well-being.  He has chosen to take time to make sure there wasn’t significant damage to his home, but more importantly, to make certain that his wife and children are OK.  It is almost a year to the day that his parents’ home was destroyed by a tornado, which has heightened his concern about the current situation.  We are hopeful that he will rejoin the team for his next start, but will take that day by day.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with Oswalt and his family.