The death of Seattle Mariners outfielder Greg Halman left sports fans in the Northwest in shock Monday, and as tributes poured in from those who knew him, the details of his killing only seemed to deepen the loss.
Halman, 24, was praised by his teams – the Mariners and Tacoma Rainiers – his teammates and managers, who all remembered his smile and personality as much as his on-field abilities.
“He had a huge smile on his face, every day, and his enthusiasm was infectious,” Rainiers President Aaron Artman said. “He just had a way about him that made our front-office staff and fans see a guy who clearly loved what he was doing.
“He was often first to raise his hand when the Tacoma community needed him, and in particular, spent a good deal of time visiting hospitalized children, which speaks to his character.”
Teammates Mike Carp and Casper Wells called him “brother,” Dustin Ackley remembered him as a friend who always had the time to talk, and Rainiers manager Daren Brown was still fighting tears Monday hours after he’d been given the news.
Halman was stabbed to death in his native Netherlands. His 22-year-old brother, Jason, was arrested.
Dutch police said Halman had been staying with a female friend in the apartment above that of his brother. They said Halman went downstairs about 5:30 a.m. to ask Jason to turn down some loud music.
An argument followed, and Halman was stabbed. When authorities arrived, he was bleeding and unconscious, and efforts to revive him failed. Jason Halman was arrested outside the apartment, police said.
“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 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.”
Halman played in 35 major league games for the Mariners last season and in 40 games with the Rainiers, the Mariners’ Class AAA affiliate.
Ackley played with Halman in Tacoma and Seattle, and said his personality never changed, no matter the events of the day.
“Greg was always smiling, always enjoying himself,” Ackley said. “I spent a lot of time with him the past two years, and he didn’t take anything for granted.
“He was just such a cool guy. I’m in shock. I think I’m going to be in shock over this for a long time.”
Former Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu talked about the joy of working with Halman.
“Greg had just a great, bubbly personality. You get into coaching, you want to make an impact not only on a baseball career but a life in general,” Wakamatsu said. “Something like this just rips your heart out. It’s like losing one of your own children.”
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig released a statement.
“The loss of a talented young man like Greg … is painful for all of us throughout the game. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my deepest condolences to the entire Mariners organization and to all those whose lives were touched by Greg.”
As Selig pointed out, Halman had been part of a big-league tour of Europe earlier this month, joining Prince Fielder, Adam Jones and other players in giving clinics to youngsters in a half-dozen countries.
Halman, who’d played for the Netherlands national team in 2007, was a hero to those kids, Selig said.
A one-time Mariners minor league player of the year, Halman spoke four languages. In each of the past two seasons, he played part of the season in Seattle – starting all three outfield positions.
“He was a kid you could tell was going to get it,” Wakamatsu said.
“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.
Brown said he’d grown close to Halman in their years together in Tacoma. When Halman was first called to the big leagues, Brown was interim manager in Seattle.
“Some things you never forget, and Greg’s face when he got to the clubhouse in Seattle was one of those moments,” Brown said. “You get to know these kids, see them progressing, watch them improving.
“I watched Greg grow up. I just don’t have the words for something like this.”
Teammates Shawn Kelley, Carp and Wells used Twitter to express their grief, and former teammate Milton Bradley weighed in as well.
“I feel as if I lost a brother,” Bradley said.
larry.larue@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners Twitter: @LarryLaRue
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