Upon hearing the news about the death of Greg Halman, the 24-year-old Seattle Mariners outfielder killed early Monday in the Netherlands, those who knew him best talked of baseball last.
“Greg was always smiling, always enjoying himself,” teammate Dustin Ackley said. “I spent a lot of time with him the past two years and he didn’t take anything for granted. He always had time to talk to you.”
The news that Halman had been stabbed to death – and that his 22-year-old brother, Jason, had been arrested – hit Tacoma Rainiers manager Daren Brown particularly hard.
“I know he was close to his family, and when the season ended this year Greg talked about wanting to get back home and spend time with them,” Brown said. “I know his brother played, too, he was a catcher.
"I’m just stunned. Greg had a lot of of tools physically, a lot of ability, but that big smile in the clubhouse is what you think of with Greg. He had fun playing the game."
Details were difficult to find Monday, although Dutch authorities said police responded to a call to Halman’s home and found Greg bleeding and unconscious. They were unable to revive him, and took Jason Halman into custody.
In recent weeks, Halman had taken part with Prince Fielder and Adam Jones in a European big-league baseball tour, staging clinics for youngsters in a half dozen countries.
Halman, who spoke four languages, was a natural choice and had played on the Netherlands national team.
"I only knew Greg for a brief time, but I feel lucky that I had the chance to get to know him," Seattle manager Eric Wedge said. “He was a fine young man with a bright future. Greg had a tremendous energy about him, both on and off the field, that I loved. This is just tragic. That’s all I can think, that this is so tragic and sad.”
The Mariners front office released a statement, attributing it to CEO Howard Lincoln, president Chuck Armstrong and general manager Jack Zduriencik.
"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,” the statement read.
Halman’s career had taken through the Seattle minor league system, and in 2008 was named the Mariners minor league player of the year. In each of the last two years, he’d spent time with the Mariners and the Tacoma Rainiers.
“He was just such a cool guy,” Ackley said. “I’m in shock. I think I’m going to be in shock over this for a long time.”
larry.larue@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners
Twitter: @LarryLaRue
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