Diego Segui, the Cuban-born pitcher who holds the unique distinction of throwing the first pitch in both Seattle Mariners and Seattle Pilots franchise history, died on Tuesday at age 87. The news was announced by Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City.
Segui pitched in relief for the Pilots in their inaugural game on April 8, 1969, against the California Angels, appearing for three innings. Eight years later, he started for the Mariners in their first regular season game on April 6, 1977, at the Kingdome against the Angels. His first pitch as “The Ancient Mariner” was a strike, marking another historic moment in Seattle baseball.
The 6-foot, 190-pound right-hander from Holguin, Cuba, completed a 15-year major league career spanning from 1962 to 1977. He compiled a 92-111 record with a 3.81 ERA across 639 games, including 171 starts. Segui recorded 71 saves and struck out 1,298 batters while walking 786 in 1,807⅔ innings pitched.
His most successful season came in 1970 with the Oakland Athletics, when he led the American League with a 2.56 ERA. That year, he appeared in 47 games with 19 starts, pitching 162 innings. He helped Oakland reach the AL Championship Series in 1971, though he was traded to St. Louis before the Athletics won their first of three consecutive World Series titles.
Segui’s career took him through multiple franchises, including the Kansas City Athletics (1962-65, 1967), Washington Senators (1966), Oakland Athletics (1968, 1970-72), Seattle Pilots (1969), St. Louis Cardinals (1972-73), and Boston Red Sox (1974-75). His final season with the Mariners in 1977 saw him make 40 appearances, going 0-7 with a 5.69 ERA in 110⅔ innings.
With the Red Sox, Segui appeared in his only World Series in 1975, throwing one perfect inning in Game Five of Boston’s seven-game loss to the Cincinnati Reds. He was released by Boston in April 1976 and spent that season with the San Diego Padres’ Triple-A affiliate in Hawaii before signing with the expansion Mariners.
Kevin Martinez, Mariners president of business operations, indicated that the organization mourned Segui’s passing. Martinez noted that Segui was generous with his time, visiting Seattle to help celebrate milestones, including his final trip for Hispanic Heritage Day in 2012. Martinez also recalled fond memories of Segui’s grandson Cory throwing the final pitch in Kingdome history, creating a fitting finale after Diego’s historic first pitch.
Following his major league retirement, Segui continued playing professionally in the Mexican Professional League until 1984. His contributions to baseball extended beyond his playing career, as he served as a minor league pitching coach for the Everett Giants when they were affiliated with the San Francisco Giants.
Segui’s legacy includes numerous honors recognizing his impact on baseball. He was inducted into the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2006. In November 2024, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum honored him with its Negro Leagues Beisbol Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Segui baseball tradition continued through his son David, who played 15 major league seasons from 1990 to 2004. David Segui played for the Mariners in 1998 and 1999, hitting 19 home runs in his first season with the team. The first baseman and outfielder played for seven different major league teams during his career.
Diego Segui began his professional career after signing as an amateur free agent with Cincinnati before the 1958 season. His journey through major league baseball included being traded three times and playing for two expansion franchises. With the Pilots in 1969, he was named team MVP and recorded 12 saves before the franchise relocated to Milwaukee and became the Brewers in 1970.
The Boston Red Sox and several other organizations issued statements recognizing Segui’s contributions to baseball. His unique place in Seattle baseball history as the only player to appear for both the city’s major league franchises cements his legacy in the Pacific Northwest.
