Since opening day 2002, 26 pitchers have won 85 games or more.
All have experienced pitching in the post-season ... save for Roy Halladay.
Halladay had his first taste of a playoff-like atmosphere when he pitched a complete game against the New York Yankees Tuesday night at the Rogers Centre before 43,737 fans.
"Every year on opening day the thought that comes to mind is what would this place be like in October?" Halladay said in the Jays clubhouse before they played the Yanks last night.
"That was the best atmosphere that I've ever pitched in, the noise from the fans went for the whole nine innings. There may have been more people in starts on opening day or in our home openers, but the crowd was into the game the whole game. I noticed in the mid-to-later innings that most of the seats were taken."
Halladay has started five season openers or home openers -- against the Minnesota Twins before 47,469 in 2002; the Yanks, 50,119, 2003; Detroit Tigers, 47,817 2004; Minnesota, 40,449, 2006 and the Tigers, 48,027, 2009. But Tuesday had the best atmosphere.
Our Jay Greenberg once compared the then SkyDome to a library, inhabited by library heads. Except when David Cone's fans with their pointy heads showed in 1992. But not Tuesday night.
"The crowd had its own energy," Halladay said. "Not too many pitchers will tell you that hurts. The extra adrenalin helps."
There were plenty of story lines going on in the series opener: A.J. Burnett's first start against his former team since opting out of his contract, the ever-popular Alex Rodriguez back in the lineup, the first-place Jays initial test against an AL East contender and Halladay.
"The fans put more emphasis on the game than we did as a team," Halladay said. "It wasn't any more important than Sunday's game in Oakland or (last night's) game. Knowing this team, we've never said that this game or that game is the be-all and the end-all of all games.
"This team has done a good job of not putting too much emphasis on one game or one series."
On nights when Halladay starts, the Jays may be the best team in baseball.
Other nights like last night? The Yanks roughed up Scott Richmond, rookie of the month in April, knocking him out in 12/3 innings before 22,164 fans, although who knows how many were chased away by the annoying fire alarm that dominated most of the Yanks batting practice time.
Halladay's next start is Sunday against the Chicago White Sox.
"Best pitcher in baseball?" said former Jay Al Leiter, now a Yankee broadcaster. "If Johann Santana has his A game going, he might be better, Zach Greinke might have better stuff, but the best pure pitcher? It's Roy Halladay.
"Jack Morris? Two pitches. Dave Stieb? Two pitches. Halladay throws four for strikes."
Halladay has 120 victories since opening day 2002. Roy Oswalt of the Houston Astros had more wins on opening day this season, but Halladay has blown past him (120-116).
"He's like Jim Palmer for me," said one veteran scout. "I never saw Palmer bad. I've seen Halladay two ways, either good or great."
Halladay has 38 complete games since 2002, more than anybody.
"We know fans will come, we know that they will cheer," Halladay said. "We have to do it consistently."
Halladay is signed through 2010 earning an average annual salary of $13 million US, while Burnett will make $16.5 million per year.
Now to tie this up with a neat bow, did Tuesday's crowd and result give Halladay the urge to talk contract during the season, to stay with the Jays and insure his whereabouts for the 2011.
"I'd prefer," said Halladay, who said in the spring he did not want to talk contract during the season, "to keep the focus on the field during the season.''
