Former AquaSox Halman made an impact in Everett

EVERETT — Greg Halman, the Seattle Mariners outfielder who was stabbed to death Monday in his native Netherlands, spent two seasons playing for the Everett AquaSox.

“I’m shocked,” AquaSox broadcaster Pat Dillon said. “It’s hard to believe.”

Halman, 24, was found stabbed to death in his home in Rotterdam. He appeared in 35 games for the Mariners this past season.

“When I saw that this morning, it literally stopped me in my tracks,” longtime AquaSox trainer Spyder Webb said from his home in Florence, S.C. “It just brings back again that none of us are guaranteed anything and to appreciate being here.”

Halman spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons playing for the AquaSox, who are a Class A minor-league affiliate of the Mariners. In 2006 as an 18-year-old he batted .259 with five home runs and 15 RBI before seeing his season come to a premature end because of a broken hand. In 2007 he was one of the Northwest League’s league’s premier players, batting .307 with 16 homers, 37 RBI and 16 stolen bases.

“He was one of the most talented players we’ve ever had,” Dillon said. “He could do anything he wanted to do on the field: steal bases, hit for power, play the outfield. Being a young guy when he was in this league, and given the impact he had, you knew he could go as far as he wanted to go and get to the big leagues.”

Webb remembered Halman as a player who matured during his two seasons with the Sox.

“Greg Halman was a very focused and determined kid,” Webb said. “Because of that, his first time through he and I had some battles because he wanted to do things his way and not our way.

“His second time through he was a much more mature kid,” Webb continued. “He started to figure out folks here were trying to help him become a better baseball player and a good person. We still had conflict now and then, but at the end of the season he came into my office and said, ‘Spyder, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and for trying to help, and I really appreciate it.’ I was shocked. I thought to myself he’d really grown up.”

Halman’s brother, who was not named by Rotterdam Police, was arrested as a suspect in the stabbing.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls’ basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 capped second-half run, pushed No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Area girls basketball teams tip off district action.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 11

Tulalip Heritage finishes second in district tournament.

Vancouver Giants goalie Burke Hood makes a play for the puck against the Everett Silvertips, who lost 6-2 to the Giants at Langley Events Centre on Saturday, one day after clinching a WHL playoff spot. (Rob Wilton, Giants/Special to Black Press Media).
Tips Week in Review: Everett first in WHL to clinch playoff berth

The Silvertips defeated Kamloops on Friday to secure spot, but lost to Vancouver on Saturday

Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak (left) and head coach Mike Macdonald (right) spoke to the media at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
New Seahawks OC excited to coach Geno Smith

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has “a lot of respect” for Seahawks QB.

Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett (16) runs with after a catch against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Tyler Lockett’s future with Seahawks remains unclear

Seattle coach Mike Macdonald noncommittal 1 month before a possible decision point.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
O’Neil: The Seahawks will keep Geno Smith

The reasons for the Seahawks quarterback sticking around are simple and obvious.

The Edmonds-Woodway bench reacts to a foul call during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 10

Warriors win battle of division champs.

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Perfect week no help to Gonzaga

An unbeaten week against a pair of middle- to lower-tier West Coast… Continue reading

LeBron James (23) and Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers look on as John Collins (20) of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Lakers’ LeBron James and Luka Doncic hit the ground running

LeBron James and Luka Doncic represent different generations and… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.