Halladay: Jays pitcher was ‘inspiring’ to Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs players were saddened by the passing of former Jays ace Roy Halladay, saying they’d drawn inspiration from the legendary pitcher’s work ethic.

“It’s inspiring for sure,” Leafs centre Nazem Kadri said.

“Watching him and other elite athletes do what they do, and living it every night, seeing how they play for their team, their teammates, and their city … you can learn from that.”

Halladay’s death in a plane crash Tuesday was followed by tributes from around the sports world.

The Leafs were to hold a moment of silence for the fallen pitcher prior to their game against Minnesota Wednesday night.

“There are things you can learn from successful people,” Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk said.

“You can pick things up from successful people, things that can give you and edge in your own game.”

Halladay, for instance, once ran a running club in spring training called the “Breakfast Club.” It got under way very early in the morning, and rookie pitchers and players attended the club, like it or not, rather than be seen as one who skipped the opportunity to gain access to Halladay’s preparation methods.

Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner, while not a “big baseball fan,” compared Halladay’s presence to newlyacquired veteran Patrick Marleau.

“You look at Patty, he’s the first guy on the ice all the time, he’s working every day shooting pucks near the net, from different angles and different things,” Gardiner said. Mark Zwolinski