The Mariners’ brass paid condolences to the player’s family and said it was a tragic loss, as Halman had been with the organization for the past eight years and had grown into a fine person and skilful baseball player. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig also released a statement to the press regarding Halman’s death and said the whole baseball world is in mourning.
Halman played for Holland in the World Baseball Classic in 2009 and participated in the MLB’s European grassroots clinics earlier in the month. The Mariners signed him as a free agent in 2004 and in 2008 he was named the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year. He had played parts of the last two seasons with Seattle and helped Holland win the European Baseball Championship in 2007, allowing the nation to qualify for the 2008 Olympics.
Halman was just the ninth Dutch player to make it to the Major Leagues and his nation’s baseball association was also shocked by the slaying. Halman made 87 plate appearances with Seattle last season and hit for a .230 batting average. He also managed two home runs along with six RBI, seven runs scored, five stole bases and 20 hits. His big break came when centerfielder Michael Saunders was struggling early in the season and Halman was called up from the minors for 35 games. He was then sent back to Tacoma in August to play out the remainder of the season.
It was believed that Halman might have cracked the club’s starting lineup next season in left or center field. In total, Halman appeared in 44 games with Seattle, making his debut on Sept. 23, 2010. He hit 33 home runs and 80 RBI with Tacoma in 2010 in the Triple A Pacific Coast League. This season he had a .299 batting average with Tacoma in 40 games with three home runs, 15 RBI and 11 stolen bases.
