Roy Halladay Not Discouraged by Undeniably Discouraging Performance

Cliff Lee returns to Cleveland tonight for the first time since the trade that set things right.

Meanwhile, Roy Halladay will be somewhere, assuring someone he’s totally fine.

It takes a lot to throw Doc off these days.  I mean, sure, it can take as little as Lonnie Chisenhall to defeat him, but for him to think something is actually wrong, well, you’re going to have to do a lot better than last night’s 14-2 implosion, universe.

"“I’m not discouraged at all.”—Roy Halladay"

So, yeah.

Apr 30, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay (34) talks with home plate umpire Bob Davidson between innings against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

He had the two bad starts, and then two good ones (one vs. the Marlins), and now this one.  At this point, we can assume a Roy Halladay start will either be an uplifting story of redemption and adaptation, or a wholly disemboweling, double-digit loss.  No one or two run letdowns this season for Doc, no sir – when he loses, he loses hard.

And then, he does what he can to convince us he’s fine.  Well, who knows.  He may not be discouraged, he is himself, not one of the rightfully horrified masses.  His view is slightly less objective, as is ours, and frankly right now there are few parties we can turn to right now for analysis that isn’t being mumbled through a veil of tears.

Doc gave up three home runs last night, sometimes to guys who are not home run hitters.  On top of that were the EIGHT earned runs in 3.2 innings.  It’s not a performance that makes you think somebody is ready to pitch in the Major Leagues.  But it’s still early, and Doc’s still convinced, and this organization has said he’ll get whatever time he needs.

One thing we can be sure of is that whatever it is that finally discourages Roy Halladay will probably kill the rest of us.

Hard.