RIP - Diego Segui

 

Diego Segui, a pitcher for the Athletics and others from 1962-1977, passed away on June 24, 2025 at age 87.

Segui debuted with the Kansas City Athletics in 1962, and was a starting pitcher for his first 5 seasons. After 4 years in KayCee, he spent the first half of 1966 with the Washington Senators. 

 

He was traded back to the A's in mid-season, but spent the rest of the year in the minors. When he returned to the majors in 1967, it was as a relief pitcher (except for parts of '70 and '71). Segui pitched for the A's in '67 and '68, then played for the expansion Seattle Pilots in 1969. 

 

He joined the Athletics for a 3rd time from 1970-72, then spent a few years with the Cardinals and the Red Sox. 

 

After a year in the minors, he played for the expansion Seattle Mariners in 1977, thus becoming the only player to have played for both Seattle expansion teams. 

 

Segui wrapped up his career in Mexico from 1978-84. 

 

Kansas City Star obituary 

 

ESPN obituary 

  

RIP - Ron Taylor

 

Ron Taylor, a relief pitcher for the Cardinals, Astros and Mets from 1963-1971, passed away today, June 16, 2025 at age 87.

Taylor began his pro career in the Indians' organization. He was a starting pitcher in their farm system from 1956-1962, making stops as varied as Daytona Beach, Fargo-Moorhead and Minot (both in North Dakota), Reading, PA and Salt Lake City. 

 

He made his major-league debut with 8 games for the Indians during the first month of the '62 season, before spending the rest of the year back in triple-A. 

 

Following the 1962 season, he was traded to the Cardinals for first baseman Fred Whitfield. In 1963 he started 9 of his 54 games, but rarely started a game after that season (and none after joining the Mets). 

 

After 2 1/2 seasons in the Cards' bullpen, Taylor was traded to the Astros in June 1965 (with pitcher Mike Cuellar) for pitchers Hal Woodeshick and Chuck Taylor. 

 

Acquired by the Mets before the 1967 season, he pitched for 5 seasons in the Big Apple, including 6 innings in the 1969 post-season, and picked up a win in the NLCS. 

 

Taylor's contract was purchased by the Expos after the 1971 season, but he was released during Spring Training in 1972. He was picked up by the Padres a month later, and appeared in 4 games over the next 4 weeks, but was released due to his ineffectiveness. 

 

After his playing career, Taylor attended medical school, and in 1979 began a 3-decade stint as the Toronto Blue Jays' team physician.

 

New York Post obituary 

 

ESPN obituary  

 

Newsweek obituary 

   

Bob Lillis is 95

 

Happy 95th birthday (6/2) to Bob Lillis!

RIP - Rich Rollins

 

Rich Rollins, the Twins 3rd baseman in the 1960s, passed away on May 13, 2025 at age 87.

Rollins played for the Twins from 1961-68, and was their everyday 3rd baseman from 1962-64. 

 

With Harmon Killebrew moving in from left field in 1965, and splitting his time between 1B and 3B, Rollins only played about half the games at 3rd base from 1965-68.

 

He was selected by the Seattle Pilots in the 1968 post-season expansion draft, and started 44 games at 3rd base during the first half of the season. 

 

He didn't play during the second half of 1969, and was released by the Brewers in May 1970. Rollins finished up that season (and his career) with the Indians.  

 

Sports Illustrated obituary  

 

Newsweek obituary