Player Focus: Roy Halladay

Roy Halladay has emerged as the star pitcher from the 1997 "hobby" RC class. Sets from 97 included RC's of pitchers like Kerry Wood, Javier Vazquez, Jon Garland, John Patterson Adam Eaton & Brad Penny. None of these pitchers have had the consistent success that Halladay has had, either because of injuries, etc. Over the last 5 seasons, he boasts a 77-31 record (71.3% wins), 1000 IP, and a 3.17 ERA. In 03 he won 22 games and had 204 K's, earning him the AL Cy Young.

This season, he had a great start, going 4-0 with a 2.28 ERA & 6.3 K's/9 IP in April. In May, he went down with an appendicitis and was expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks (he returned in less than 3). He only had 3 starts in May, struggling to a 1-2 record, and 8.31 ERA with 6.2 K's/9 IP. He began June by getting rocked by the D-Rays for 7 ER in 3-1/3 IP, but has been able to bounce back quite well, going 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA & 4.8 K's/9 IP in his next 3 starts. Halladay is a definite work horse. On 4/13, he went 10 innings, allowing only 6 hits & 1 ER, to outlast & beat the Tigers & their ace, Jeremy Bonderman.

His two best cards from 97 are his Bowman Chrome RC & Bowman Auto (only RC year Auto). You can probably find his Chrome RC for less than $10 TAC, and I saw one of his Bowman Auto's sell this month for $74 TAC. I think that his key RC's could be strong investments down the road, if you can find them for decent prices.