Seattle Mariners outfielder Greg Halman was found stabbed to death early Monday in his native Netherlands. The 24 year old was one of just two Dutch players in the Major Leagues; he was found bleeding to death by authorites in Rotterdam. Making the tragedy even worse, his brother was arrested as a suspect, Dutch police said.
No charges have been field yet in connection with the crime.
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”He is under arrest and right now he is being questioned,” Wessels told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. ”It will take some time to figure out what exactly happened.”
Mariners Chairman Howard Lincoln, President Chuck Armstrong and general manager Jack Zduriencik paid tribute to Halman on behalf of 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,” they said in a statement. ”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.”
Because he played professionally in the United States, Halman was not part of the Netherlands team that won the Baseball World Cup in Panama last month. The Dutch beat Cuba 2-1 in the final to become the first European team to win the title.
In 87 at bats, Halman his .230 w 2 HRs and 6 RBIs last season. He was a career .207 hitter in just 116 at bats.
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