By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com |
@AdamMcCalvy | 1:39 PM ET
Former Major Leaguer Darryl Hamilton was killed Sunday, police in Pearland, Texas, have confirmed, in what was an apparent murder-suicide.
The Houston Chronicle and other news outlets in Houston reported that the bodies of Hamilton, 50, and 44-year-old Monica Jordan were discovered Sunday at a home in Pearland, just south of Houston. Also in the home was the couple's young child, who was unharmed.
Investigators told the Chronicle it appeared to be a murder-suicide. Hamilton was shot several times and Jordan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the newspaper reported.
"All of us at Major League Baseball are shocked and saddened by this tragedy," Commissioner Rob Manfred said. "Darryl followed a successful 13-year career on the field by assembling a multifaceted career in our game, working for MLB Advanced Media and in our baseball operations department before moving on to MLB Network. He was a talented and personable individual, and we were proud to call him a member of the Baseball Family. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest sympathies to Darryl's family and his many friends throughout our game."
Hamilton was an 11th-round Draft pick of the Brewers in 1986 who made his Major League debut in 1988 and became a big league regular during the second half of the 1990 season. A strong defensive player with speed who manned all three outfield positions, he batted .291 during a playing career that began with parts of seven seasons in Milwaukee before stints with the Mets, Rockies, Giants and Rangers.
Hamilton appeared in the postseason four times with three different clubs, including in 2000 with the Mets, for whom he played in the World Series. He hit 51 home runs and had 454 RBIs and 163 stolen bases in 1,328 regular-season games
"Darryl Hamilton joined MLB.com in 2003 and distinguished himself with his insight, experience, humor and team spirit," said Bob Bowman, president of business and media for MLB. "As an analyst at MLB Network since 2013, he found a new role in which he excelled. In addition to being a consummate professional, he was a good friend to all at MLB.com and MLB Network, and he will be sorely missed."
Hamilton also had experience in the broadcast booth, working radio broadcasts for the Angels and later for the Brewers. He provided color commentary on 29 of Milwaukee's radio broadcasts in 2014 after the Hall of Fame voice of the Brewers, Bob Uecker, cut back his travel schedule.
"We are saddened by the tragic death of Darryl Hamilton," the Mets said in a statement. "Darryl's vibrant personality made him a key member of our postseason teams in 1999 and 2000. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."
