According to Dutch media reports Major League outfielder Gregory Halman of the Seattle Mariners has been stabbed fatally at his home in Rotterdam, Netherlands on early Monday morning. He was only 24 years old. Officers which were called to the scene at 5.30am found him bleeding on the floor and tried to resuscitate him, but unfortunately without success. Apparently his brother Jason Halman was detained by police for questioning. Some reports say he is considered a suspect. However the circumstances of Gregory’s death, which was confirmed by his family, are still under investigation.
Gregory Halman was born on August 26, 1987 in Haarlem, Netherlands. After making his debut in the Dutch Hoofdklasse at the age of 16 he was signed as a non-drafted amateur free agent in 2004 by the Seattle Mariners. He quickly moved up through the Mariners farm system and reached the big leagues in 2010. He appeared in 44 MLB games for Seattle since then. He also was part of the European Big League Tour of Rick van den Hurk together with Prince Fielder and other Major Leaguers, which toured through Amsterdam, Utrecht, Prague and Parma ten days ago, bringing MLB baseball to the kids.
Baseball worldwide mourns the death of Gregory Halman. Rest in Peace.
Riccardo Fraccari, president IBAF and FIBS: “This is terrible news for the whole baseball community. It’s really sad and it’s really terrible the way it happened. We mourn for him and respect his family’s sorrow”
Massimo Fochi, Vice President Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS): “I cannot believe it. I met personally Greg on Saturday November 12th in Parma, where he was with the European Big League Tour. He was a great guy and the most appreciated by the kids. His passing away is really painful”.
Robert Eenhoorn, Technical Director Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association (KNBSB): “It’s a tremendous tragedy for everybody, but our thoughts go especially to his family and the way they need to cope with this”.
“The loss of a talented 24-year-old young man like Greg, amid such tragic circumstances, is painful for all of us throughout the game,” said MLB Commissioner Bud Selig in a statement. “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.”
Michael Weiner , Executive Director Major League Baseball Players Association in a report by MLB.com: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Greg Halman. Greg was passionate about the game of baseball and generously gave of himself to share his passion with others in an attempt to help grow the sport’s popularity across Europe. He will be sorely missed. … Our thoughts and prayers go out to Greg’s family, his teammates, the Mariners organization and his many friends and fans throughout Europe and America.”
“The Mariners family is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Greg Halman,” said Mariners chairman Howard Lincoln, President Chuck Armstrong and General Manager Jack Zduriencik in a statement issued by the club. “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 KNBSB has published a condolance register at http://www.condoleanceregister.nl/Condoleance-Gregory-Anthony-Halman.html