John Wetteland Hospitalized After Suicide Scare (UPDATE)

Nov. 13, 5:17 PM: Larry Stone of the Seattle Times speaks with Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu, who spoke with Wetteland and insists that yesterday's incident was completely unrelated to suicide:

"He's doing great,'' Wakamatsu said. "A lot of things got blown out of proportion. He had a domestic dispute -- an argument. His blood pressure raced, and obviously his wife called the police. The next thing you know, it's about suicide. It had nothing to do with that.''

Check out Stone's post here for more from Wakamatsu.

Nov. 13, 12:51 AM: Wetteland is back home, according to the AP:

(AP) DENTON, Texas -- Former All-Star closer John Wetteland was resting at home Thursday night after a trip to a hospital, where the Seattle Mariners say he was treated for an elevated heart rate.

Authorities responded to a 911 call from Wetteland's home in the afternoon. Wetteland just finished his first season as Seattle's bullpen coach.

"My wife and I are very appreciative of the over and above care of our local officers and paramedics," he said in a statement released by the team Thursday night. "The circumstances leading to my elevated blood pressure and heart rate have been addressed."

Dallas television station CBS-11 and the New York Daily News reported earlier Thursday that Denton County authorities described the call from a woman at Wetteland's home as a mental health issue.

"She said he was complaining of being depressed and contemplating suicide," Sgt. Roger Griggs of the sheriff's office told the newspaper for a story on its Web site.

Repeated messages left for Denton County authorities by The Associated Press were not returned.

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The 43-year-old Wetteland picked up 330 career saves in 12 seasons in the majors. He was selected MVP of the 1996 World Series with the Yankees.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said the team was relieved that Wetteland was back at home.

"We have let them know that the Mariners will do whatever we can to assist them," Zduriencik said in the team statement.

UPDATE 10:41 PM: The New York Daily News reports that a woman in Wetteland's house called 911 because the former pitcher was contemplating suicide.

UPDATE: CBS 11 reports that Wetteland was taken to a hospital in Denton, TX. See the full report here.

EARLIER: CBS 11 News in Dallas/Fort Worth has Tweeted that officers responded to a suicide call at the home of former closer John Wetteland. According to a subsequent Tweet, "A spokesman says Wetteland came out of the house with his hands up, and said 'I need help.' He was then taken away."

Wetteland is currently the bullpen coach of the Seattle Mariners.

Comments

[spilkus]

HuffPost's Pick

Mariners are survivors. We won 116 games and didn't make the world series. That's depressing. Get well Wetteland.

[chopel]

Joy one day at the news that Griffey Jr signed to play another year with the Mariners.. sadness and deep concern the next at this news about John Wetteland. If he did in fact come out of the house saying "I need help", that's a good sign. I hope he gets it.

John, the Mariners and their fans look forward to having you back next season. But far more importantly, do whatever you gotta do to get well.. for yourself and for your family who love you.

Good luck. My thoughts are with you.

[shthar]

He was the closer for my strat team from his first pitch to his last.

HE is the Terminator.

[gascelebrations]

Man he was LIGHTS OUT in that World Series - I remember him well...

Hope he gets better -

[InofTouch]

my Condolences

[balancedsolution]

severely depressed people need help, not ridicule.

[jalowe1957]

Something in my gut says this dude is troubled...