Jp_ricciardi  

In an interview with WEEI.com, ex-Toronto Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi explained his reasoning for playing hard ball when it came to possible deals for Doc Halladay at the trade deadline last year.

"I think a lot of it was that maybe we appreciated him a lot more because we saw him do this. Maybe pitching in Canada, he didn't get as much attention. I'm really happy that people across the country are getting a chance to see what he's all about. We kept sitting there saying, This is Roy Freaking Halladay! Do people know?' Not only will you have him for this year, but you'll have him for next year. And whomever trades for him, he's probably going to go to a place he's going to want to stay. There's no way we're going to settle for one prospect, or 1 1/2 prospects. We've got to get a bunch of prospects because we're dealing someone really, really special here."

Ricciardi turned down several offers that he felt were not up to snuff compared to the otherworldly talent he was holding.  Ricciardi said there was no doubt in his mind that Roy would be a successful post season pitcher.  Turns out he was right (see Roy Halladay is Simply The Greatest).

“He’s so prepared. I guaranteed there was nothing left uncovered going into the game. This isn’t a rookie going to the game. He’s a veteran player who has pitched in Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, a lot of big games. I’m not surprised at all. Obviously, I didn’t think he would go out and throw a no-hitter, but I’m not surprised he competed as well as he did."

J.P. also warns that the Doc he knows is only going to be more dangerous as the playoffs progress.


"He pitched this game, he wasn’t rattled by that. I think the scary thing for me would be is now he has a taste of it, watch out, because he’s going to want the whole enchilada."

Ricciardi basically gets two main points across in this interview:

#1)All of you people who thought I was asking too much for Halladay, get it now you assholes?!?! 

And more importantly:

#2)National League hitters should make sure to scrub in before they climb in the batters box because the Doc is in and ready to operate.