Diego Segui, the pitcher who threw the first pitch in Seattle Mariners history, has died at age 87. The Cuban-born right-hander passed away on Tuesday, according to Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Segui holds the unique distinction of being the only player to appear in the first regular season games for both Seattle franchises. He pitched three innings in relief for the Seattle Pilots on April 8, 1969, against the California Angels, and eight years later started for the Mariners in their inaugural game on April 6, 1977, at the Kingdome against the same Angels.
The 6-foot, 190-pound pitcher earned the nickname “The Ancient Mariner” when he took the mound for that historic first pitch in Mariners history, which was a strike. The 1977 season would prove to be Segui’s final campaign in Major League Baseball, capping a 15-season career that began in 1962.
Mariners President of Business Operations Kevin Martinez expressed the organization’s condolences, noting that Segui was always generous with his time and visited Seattle to help celebrate milestones. Martinez also referenced fond memories of Segui’s grandson Cory throwing the final pitch in Kingdome history, calling it a fitting finale after Diego’s historic first pitch.
Born in Holguin, Cuba, Segui began his professional career after signing as an amateur free agent with Cincinnati before the 1958 season. His major league journey took him through multiple franchises, including the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics, Washington Senators, St. Louis Cardinals, and Boston Red Sox.
Segui’s best professional season came in 1970 with Oakland, where he appeared in 47 games including 19 starts and led Major League Baseball with a 2.56 ERA. He helped the Athletics reach the American League Championship Series the following year, though he was traded to the Cardinals at midseason in 1972 before Oakland won the first of three consecutive World Series championships.
The veteran pitcher appeared in his only World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 1975, throwing a scoreless inning in Game 5 of their seven-game loss to the Cincinnati Reds. He was released by Boston the following April and spent the 1976 season with the San Diego Padres’ Triple-A affiliate in Hawaii before joining the expansion Mariners.
Segui finished his major league career with a 92-111 record and a 3.81 ERA across 639 games, including 171 starts. He recorded 71 saves during his career and won double-digit games in three different seasons. His final MLB statistics included a 0-7 record with a 5.69 ERA in 40 appearances for the Mariners in 1977.
Following his major league career, Segui continued pitching in the Mexican Professional League until 1984. He later served as a minor league pitching coach, including a stint with the Everett Giants when they were affiliated with the San Francisco Giants.
Segui’s baseball legacy extends beyond his own playing career through his son David, who also enjoyed a 15-year major league career from 1990 to 2004. David Segui played for the Mariners during the 1998 and 1999 seasons, hitting 19 home runs for the team in 1998. Martinez indicated that “our thoughts are with the Segui family, including David.”
Throughout his post-playing career, Segui received numerous honors recognizing his contributions to baseball. He was inducted into the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 2003 and is also a member of the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame. In 2024, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum honored him with its Negro Leagues Beisbol Lifetime Achievement Award.
Segui’s final visit to Seattle came in 2012 for Hispanic Heritage Day, where the Mariners celebrated his historic role in franchise history. The organization remembered him as someone who remained connected to the team and its milestones long after his playing days ended.
