Baseball history runs deep in cities like Boston and Seattle—two teams now tied together by a shared sense of loss. From the storied walls of Fenway Park to the passionate fans in the Pacific Northwest, the current news has stirred not just old memories but genuine feelings. For some, this situation has become more than a headline. It is a chance to remember a former Red Sox and Mariners star who quietly wove himself into the fabric of the game.
That star is Diego Seguí, the first man to ever take the mound for the Mariners. He has passed away at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy that spans 15 seasons, six teams, and multiple untold stories. As tributes pour in, they paint a portrait not just of a talent, but of a resilient star who may not have always led the marquee—but whose effect helped shape baseball’s soul.
The Red Sox, where Seguí played during the 1974 and 1975 seasons, said it best in a statement: “We mourn the passing of Diego Seguí, a 15-year MLB veteran from Cuba.” While Seguí’s time with the team was brief, the respect he commanded lasted far beyond the final pitch. Seguí also made history with the Mariners, and fans will forever remember how he took the mound as the team’s first starting pitcher when the Mariners debuted in 1977.
What makes his story stand out more is the esteem Seguí earned beyond the field. Just last November, he was honored with the Negro Leagues Beisbol Lifetime Achievement Award. This was a testament to the lasting impression the former Red Sox star left on multiple generations. Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, expressed his grief: “Heartbroken about the news of the passing of my dear friend, and former MLB pitcher, Diego Seguí.”
Heartbroken about the news of the passing of my dear friend, and former @mlb pitcher, Diego Segui. He was 87. We honored Diego last November with our Negro Leagues Beisbol Lifetime Achievement Award. Sending thoughts and prayers to the Segui family! pic.twitter.com/DJ9D781n7o
— Bob Kendrick (@nlbmprez) June 25, 2025
Such a recognition was not just ceremonial. It was deeply personal. He drew his toughness from his Cuban roots and the unglamorous grind of MLB’s early expansion years. Seguí logged a 3.81 ERA across 639 games, notching 92 wins, 71 saves, and the AL ERA title in 1970. Not all can say they pitched in the first season for the Pilots and the Mariners—Seguí could.
Although Seguí missed out on Oakland’s 1972 World Series title run and the team traded him midseason, he made a strong impression on the league during that era. Whether it was providing relief for the Cardinals, anchoring the Red Sox bullpen, or carrying the load for a brand-new Mariners team, he wore every jersey with the same grit and grace.
However, beyond the numbers and the jerseys, his story becomes more powerful when you step off the field and into his lived experience.
Late Red Sox legend’s legacy beyond the field
Diego Seguí’s baseball journey was only part of the narrative. His path was shaped by more than his opponents in the batter’s box. He was born in pre-revolution Cuba and grew up deeply connected to his homeland, but politics abruptly severed that bond when they intervened. At the height of the Cold War, Fidel Castro implemented strict policies for Cubans that affected emigration and citizenship. Because baseball prevented Seguí from returning, the Cuban government stripped him of his nationality, turning him into a pitcher without a country.
The loss was deep. He did not just lose a passport; Seguí lost the right to call home a land that had shaped his earliest dreams. For years, he lived in limbo, shuffling across borders for games while grappling with a fractured identity. Yet, in true Seguí fashion, the former Mariners star did not let bitterness dictate his path. Then, Seguí settled in Kansas City and made it his own.
Such a mix of pride and humility defined him just as much as his forkball did. He was proud of the career he established—rightfully so—yet Seguí never let it inflate his ego. Whether reminiscing about the quirks that drove batters crazy and reflecting on the weight of leaving his home behind, he remained grounded in truth. Honest about his wins, open about his struggles, and deeply respectful of the game, he embodied the rare balance of competitive fire and personal grace.
Seguí’s story was never just about baseball—it was about resilience, identity, and quiet greatness. As the Red Sox, Mariners, and the entire MLB mourn his passing, they also honor a life that stood for far more than numbers.
The post Boston Red Sox & Baseball World Mourn the Passing of 87-Year-Old MLB Vet & First Man to Pitch for Mariners appeared first on EssentiallySports.