Diego Segui, an original Mariner, throws out Saturday’s ceremonial first pitch
Game is also Salute to Latin American Beisbol Night at Safeco Field
Diego Segui, who threw the very first pitch in Seattle Mariners history in 1977, returns to Seattle to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Safeco Field on Saturday, September 8, vs. Oakland Athletics (6:10pm). It is also Salute to Latin American Beisbol as the Mariners pay tribute to the contributions Latin American players have made to the game of baseball.
The date was April 6, 1977. The Seattle Mariners opened the season against the California Angels. Diego Segui threw a called strike to Jerry Remy as 57,762 fans at the Kingdome witnessed the return of Major League Baseball to Seattle. Eight years earlier, Segui had been the opening day pitcher for the Seattle Pilots, the only player to have been a part of both the Pilots and Mariners teams.
Segui, who was born in Cuba, had a 16 year Major League career during which he played for the Kansas City Athletics (1962-1965, 1967), Washington Senators (1966), Oakland Athletics (1968, 1970-1972), Pilots (1969), Boston Red Sox (1975-1976) and Mariners (1977).
Segui was invited back to Seattle as part of the Mariners 35th Anniversary celebration, a season-long tribute to the franchise’s history in which former Mariners are welcomed back to Seattle for special appearances and promotions at Safeco Field. Segui, who is the father of former Mariners first baseman David Segui, was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Museum Hall of Fame in 2006.
As part of Salute to Latin American Beisbol Night, the Mariners will wear home white jerseys with the name “Marineros” across the front. Also highlighting the evening’s festivities is an appearance by Bailadores de Bronce which will perform Mexican folk dances before and during the game.
Tickets for Saturday’s game, and all other games on the Mariners 2012 home schedule, are available at www.mariners.com/tickets. They can also be purchased with no service charge at Seattle Mariners Team Stores (Bellevue Square, Southcenter Mall, Alderwood Mall, and at 4th and Stewart in downtown Seattle) and the Safeco Field box office. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, or by calling 1-888-SEA-HITS.