The Phillies Will Retire Roy Halladay's Number 34 In 2020

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Phillies, one of baseball's oldest franchises, are widely known for how selective they are in choosing which numbers to retire. In their 137-year history, dating back to 1883, only five players have been distinguished with the honor, and not a single one of them has occurred within the last two decades.

That will all change on May 29, 2020, the 10-year anniversary of Roy Halladay's perfect game. The all-time great, first-ballot Hall of Fame hurler will have his number 34 enshrined forever at Citizens Bank Park.

Halladay, one of the greatest pitchers of his generation, was elected posthumously to the Hall of Fame in 2019. He died in a plane crash in 2017. He was 40.

>>What Roy Halladay Meant To Philadelphia

Halladay joins Mike Schmidt (number 20), Steve Carlton (number 32), Richie Ashburn (number 1), Jim Bunning (number 14), and Robin Roberts (number 36) as the only players in franchise history to have their numbers retired. All Major League Baseball teams have retired Jackie Robinson's number 42 (the Phils do also recognize all-time greats Grover Cleveland Alexander and Chuck Klein with the letter "P" as they both played before the team used numbers).

Halladay's 2010 perfect game was just one of many major career achievements. He earned Cy Young awards as the league's best pitcher in 2003 and again in 2010, became just the second pitcher ever to throw a postseason no hitter, was named to 8 All Star teams, and amassed 203 wins and 2,117 strikeouts in his career.

To get a sense of what it takes for the Phillies to recognize a player in this manner, no one else from arguably the greatest stretch in franchise history from 2007 to 2011 has had their number retired. That includes the all time Philadelphia legends that brought a World Series to the city in 2008: Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins.

Only 20 perfect games have been thrown in Major League history, so the 10th anniversary of Halladay's gem is a fitting occasion. The May 29 ceremony will feature a pregame unveiling of number 34 above the rooftop in Ashburn Alley, as well as a new six-foot high statue of Halladay at the Third Base Plaza.

All fans will also receive a model of the statue, sponsored by the Valley Forge and Montgomery County Tourism Board.

Tickets for regular season games go on sale Feb. 12.