Former MLB pitcher Roy Halladay dies in plane crash

Local authorities confirmed that former MLB pitcher Roy Halladay has died after a plane crashed in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday. He was 40 years old.

During a press conference, police confirmed that one body had been recovered after a small, single-engine plane crashed off the coast of Florida. The plane was registered in Halladay's name.

Halladay leaves behind his wife, Brandy, and their two children.

Halladay, nicknamed "Doc," was a two-time Cy Young Award winning pitcher and an eight-time MLB All-Star during his career with the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies.

"We are numb over the very tragic news about Roy Halladay's untimely death," the Phillies said in a statement on Twitter. "There are no words to describe the sadness that the entire Phillies family is feeling over the loss of one of the most respected human beings to ever play the game."

Halladay retired from baseball in 2013 after signing a ceremonial one-day contract with the Blue Jays. He cited wanting to spend more time with his family as one reason for his retirement.

More on Aol.com:
NFL opposes US Republican tax plan on stadium funding
Vin Scully: ‘I will never watch another NFL game’ due to protests
The NFL players proposed a mediated meeting with the owners