Police in Florida confirmed Tuesday afternoon that retired MLB pitcher Roy Halladay died after his small plane crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.
The crash occurred around noon on Tuesday near Holiday, Florida, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said. Halladay's body was recovered from the scene.
Halladay, 40, retired in 2013 after playing 12 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays and four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was an eight-time All Star and a two-time Cy Young Award winner, and in 2010 he pitched a perfect game and a postseason no-hitter.
He recently purchased a small plane for himself, an ICON A5. His Twitter feed is filled with messages about his flying experiences and photos and videos taken mid-flight.
The ICON A5 is an amphibious light-sport aircraft.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, rescuers found Halladay's plane upside down in shallow water and tangled in mangroves.
"I've been dreaming about flying since I was a boy but was only able to become a pilot once I retired from baseball," Halladay said in a recent ICON announcement after he purchased his plane.
"I've owned other aircraft, but no aircraft embodies the adventure or captured the dream of flying like the A5. Not only is it the safest and easiest aircraft I've ever flown, it is hands-down the most fun."
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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