SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners issued the following statement on the passing of Diego Segui.
The Mariners were saddened to learn of the passing of Diego Segui.
A Seattle baseball original, Diego famously appeared in both the first game in franchise history for the Seattle Pilots on April 8, 1969 at the California Angels and was starting pitcher in the first game in Seattle Mariners history on April 6, 1977 in the Kingdome vs. the Angels.
“Our thoughts are with the Segui family, including David, Diego’s son, who the Mariners know well from his time with us in 1998 and 1999,” said Mariners President of Business Operations Kevin Martinez. “Diego was always generous with his time, visiting us in Seattle to help us celebrate milestones, including his last trip here for Hispanic Heritage Day in 2012.
“I also have fond memories of Diego’s grandson Cory throwing the final pitch in Kingdome history, a fitting finale for the Kingdome after Diego’s historic first pitch.”
The right-hander, nicknamed “The Ancient Mariner” during the 1977 season, pitched in 15 Major League seasons for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics (1962-65, 1967-68, 1970-72), Washington Senators (1966), the Pilots (1969), St. Louis Cardinals (1972-73), Boston Red Sox (1974-75) and Mariners (1977). He appeared in 639 games, making 171 starts. He led the American League in ERA in 1970 and pitched in the 1971 ALCS for Oakland, and the 1975 World Series with Boston.
After finishing his Major League career, Diego pitched in the Mexican Professional League until 1984. A native of Holguín, Cuba (born: Aug. 17, 1937), he is a member of both the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (inducted 2003) and the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame (inducted 2006). In 2024, he was honored by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum with its Negro Leagues Beisbol Lifetime Achievement Award.