TORONTO - Former Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay took out a full-page ad Tuesday to thank Toronto and its fans.

Halladay, traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, said in the Toronto Sun ad that he felt "blessed" to have been part of the Blue Jays since 1995.

Said the right-hander: "Toronto will forever have a special place in my heart. The memories will last a lifetime and so will my gratitude."