#25 Jose Vidal, Outfield/ John Gelnar, Pitcher

Another in the many numbers that saw multiple players due to roster changes. #25 was first donned by Jose Vidal at the beginning of the season. Jose would be traded in early June to the Yankees for Dick Simpson. Jose lost a battle with cancer on January 7 of 2011. 

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The second Pilot to wear #25 was John Gelnar. John would pitch in the second half of the season. His biggest claim to fame in Seattle is that he was traded with Steve Whitaker from the Royals for a prospect named Lou Piniella. I think we all know how that trade worked out.

You have to love the apartments that overlooked the outfield

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#24 Diego Segui, Pitcher

Diego Segui would see two tours in Seattle. His first time was 1969 with the Pilots.

He would come back to the Mariners in 1977. As a tip of the cap to the Pilots team, the Mariners tabbed Diego as the man to throw the first pitch in Mariners history.

The Segui family would make Seattle history when later on Diego's son David would also play for the Mariners.

#23 Jack Aker/Fred Talbot, Pitcher

#23 was worn by two different pitchers for the Pilots in 1969.

Jack Aker

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Fred Talbot

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Fred Talbot after hitting a grand slam

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#22 Fred Stanley, Shortstop

Fred Stanley was sold to the Pilots by the Astros in September of 1969. He would see time in September for the Pilots. Fred would be the last Pilot to play in the majors before retiring with the Oakland A's after the 1982 season. Fred currently works as the Director of player development for the San Francisco Giants.

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#21 Tommy Harper, Utility

Tommy Harper was an everyday play anywhere guy for the Pilots. He played 59 games at second base, 59 games at third base, and chipped in another 26 games in the outfield. He was one of the big name players on that famous one year wonder here in the Emerald City.

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Check out this awesome 1970 Kellogg's card

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#20 Wayne Comer, Centerfield

Your regular center fielder for the Pilots was Wayne Comer. Wayne also could play left, and right field. Wayne was tried once at third base, and once behind the dish. Wayne went with the Pilots to Milwaukee but didn't hang on with Brewers, and would retire in 1972 with the Tigers.

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#19 Steve Whitaker, Outfielder

As a kid growing up in Tacoma, WA I'm sure Steve dreamed of playing in the major leagues. How lucky could he be to be traded at the end of spring training along with John Gelnar from the Kansas City Royals to his hometown Seattle Pilots. Steve spent time with the AAA Vancouver Mounties and the Pilots. He had spent time in the past three seasons with the Yankees, and spent the 1970 season the San Francisco Giants before retiring.

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#18 Gus Gil, Infielder

Gus was an infielder that could play most positions. He spent most of his time at third base, but also played short and second. He came to the Pilots from the Indians, and would stay on with the Brewers for two more years in Milwaukee.

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#17 Jim Pagliaroni, Catcher

Jim Pagliaroni was a backup catcher for most of his career. He played for the Pirates, Red Sox, Athletics, and the Pilots. Jim was the catcher lucky enough to be on the field when Jim "Catfish" Hunter pitched his perfect game on May 8, 1968. His contract was purchesd by Pilots on May 27, 1969. He would be the back up for full time catcher Jerry McNertney. Jim retired from baseball after the 1969 season.

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Jim lost a five year battle with cancer on April 3, 2010. Another Pilot soaring with the angels.

#16 Dick Simpson, Outfield

Dick was a part time player that bounced around the majors in the 1960's. He only saw action in 26 games for the Pilots after coming over in a trade from the Yankees during the 1969 season. He retired after the 1969 season.

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Unfortunately for him, Dick's son Colton is probably more famous than him. Colton was an OG Crip that is serving a 126 year prison sentence in Califronia, under the three strikes law.

#15 Jerry McNertney, Catcher

Your regular everyday starting catcher was Jerry. He played four years before Seattle and another four after the Pilots left.

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#14 Jim Gosger,OF/ Gordy Lund, IF/ Miguel Fuentes, P

Three men would hold distinction of wearing 14 on their backs for the Pilots. Jim Gosger would start the season with it, appearing in 26 games in all three outfield positions. Jim would be traded to the Mets in July to complete a deal for Greg Goossen.

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Gordy Lund would spend part of July and August of 1969 with 14. Gordy would play second, third and short for the Pilots.

Miguel Fuentes would come to the Pilots on September 1. Miguel owns the distinction of throwing the last pitch in Pilots history. It came in a 3-1 loss at Sick's stadium to the Oakland A's in front of 5,473 on October 2, 1969. Miguel would sadly be murdered outside a bar in his native Puerto Rico in January of 1970 at the age of 23.

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#13 Steve Barber, Pitcher

Steve Barber came to the Pilots in the expansion draft in 1968 from the Yankees. Because the Pilots weren't that good, Steve went 4-7 with a 4.80 ERA in Seattle. In his career Steve would play for the Orioles, Braves, Yankees, Pilots, Angels, Cubs, and Giants. He had numerous elbow problems and would retire after the 1974 season.

Steve and his wife moved to the Las Vegas area in 1978. Steve worked as a school bus driver. Steve died 18 days short of his 69th birthday, passing on February 4, 2007 due to complications from pneumonia. Steve had his ashes scattered across the southern Nevada desert after his death. A former Pilot floating with the angels.

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