Mariners Outfielder Greg Halman Killed in the Netherlands

As much pleasure and joy as the game of baseball brings to fans across the globe, sometimes tragedy strikes and it shakes every facet of what we think, feel, and believe. This morning brought upon another one of those situations as we learned that Seattle Mariners outfielder Greg Halman, 24, has been killed.

According to multiple outlets, Halman was home in his native Netherlands for the offseason where he was visiting family and promoting baseball in Europe. Police were called to the Halman home in the early hours of Monday morning where they found Halman bleeding from a stab wound. Officers and paramedics were unable to resuscitate him, pronouncing him dead a short time later. His younger brother, who’s name has not been released but we know he is 22, has reportedly been arrested and is being held as a suspect. No additional details have been made public at this time.

The Mariners organization – specifically Chairman Howard Lincoln, President Chuck Armstrong, and General Manager Jack Zduriencek – released a statement late this morning. It reads as follows:

"Greg was a part of our organization since he was 16 and we saw him grow into a passionate young man and talented baseball player. He had an infectious smile that would greet you in the clubhouse and he was a tremendous teammate. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Greg’s family."

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig added his own statement, which reads:

"The loss of a talented 24 year old man like Greg, amid such tragic circumstances, is painful for all of us throughout the game. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I sent my deepest condolences to the entire Mariners organization and to all those whose lives were touched by Greg."

Halman originally came to the US as an Amateur Free Agent. He was initially signed by the Minnesota Twins in November 2003, only to have that deal voided the next Spring. That June he was signed by the Mariners, the only organization he would know throughout his MLB career. He would spent most of the next 8 seasons in the minor leagues (including being named to Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospect list prior to the 2009 season – he was #57) but did manage to appear in 44 games with Seattle between the 2010 and 2011 seasons. In 121 career plate appearances he batted .207/.233/.302 with 2 HR and 9 RBI.