Mariners Outfielder Greg Halman Murdered

Sometimes a situation is just too f**ked for a clever headline. From HuffPost Sports:

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Seattle Mariners outfielder Greg Halman was stabbed to death early Monday and his brother was arrested as a suspect, Dutch police said.

Rotterdam Police spokeswoman Patricia Wessels said police were called to a home in the port city in the early hours of the morning and found the 24-year-old Dutch player bleeding from a stab wound.

The worst part of the story — at least aside from the death of a man who was essentially still a kid — is that the suspect arrested and taken in for questioning in connection with the murder is Halman’s 22-year-old brother. There isn’t a lot of information beyond that other than tribute quotes from the people who knew him and a weird, lingering sadness. Halman had been a member of the Seattle organization since he was 16-years old, hit .230 in 35 games and made starts at all three outfield positions for the Mariners in 2011. That’s where his story ends. I don’t know what happened between the brothers that would lead to this and obviously I didn’t know Greg Halman personally, but from a sports perspective, the only perspective I’m awarded, there is a strong, resonant sadness to “he hit .230 in 34 games, and then” without anything following.

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.”

He’s got our thoughts and prayers as well. I don’t know how good they’ll do him, but they’re his.

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