PEARLAND, Texas — Darryl Hamilton, a standout center fielder and member of the New York Mets team that reached the 2000 World Series, was killed in a murder-suicide in a suburban Houston home, authorities said Monday.
Hamilton was found Sunday after he was fatally shot in a house in Pearland. He was 50 and had worked for the MLB Network since 2013.
An initial investigation determined Hamilton was shot several times and that a woman in the home died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. She was identified as 44-year-old Monica Jordan, Pearland Police Lt. Patrick Savage said. The 14-month-old child of Hamilton and Jordan was found unharmed at the home and turned over to Child Protective Services.
Hamilton, who was born in Baton Rouge, La., played for five teams over 13 seasons in the majors before retiring in 2001. He reached the postseason in four of his final five seasons.
Hamilton had a career batting average of .291 in 1,328 games with the Milwaukee Brewers (1988, 1990-95), Texas Rangers (1996), San Francisco Giants (1997-98), Colorado Rockies (1998-99) and Mets (1999-2001). He batted left but threw with his right arm and had a career fielding percentage of .995 with just 14 errors in 2,770 defensive chances.
Hamilton later worked in operations for the commissioner’s office and for baseball’s digital arm, MLB Advanced Media.
“All of us at Major League Baseball are shocked and saddened by this tragedy,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “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.”
Police responded to the home Sunday afternoon after receiving a 911 call. Hamilton’s body was found near the home’s main entry, while Jordan’s body was located in another area of the house, Savage said. Autopsies on both were pending, and Savage said the investigation was ongoing.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@SInow
