#11 Tommy Smith, Outfield

If you are drafted in the 5th round while you are finishing playing for NC State, you would think there is a chance you might make the big leagues fairly soon right? That would not be the case for Tommy. After struggling to make the year after year climb through the minor leagues, Tommy was mostly relegated to the obligatory call up in September with the Cleveland Indians from 1973 through the 1976 seasons. With the 29th out of 30 selection of the expansion draft, the Seattle Mariners selected Tommy to help play in the outfield for the new team. During the first three months of the season, Tommy got some time in right and left. Then is was back down to the minors only to see three more game in September of that 1977 season.

Tommy would be let go by the Mariners organization after that first season, and tried to catch on with both the Angels and Orioles farm systems. Mr. Smith tried to move into the infield working at both 1st and 3rd base. When playing the corners didn't work out, Tommy even started trying to take a turn on the mound as a pitcher in 1981 with the class A Miami O's, and the AA Charlotte O's. During that time, Tommy did see the mound for 48 appearances. After shutting it down in 1981, Tommy moved back home to North Carolina, and in 1984 he would start giving private lessons to young players and started doing baseball camps. He decided to make it a business and for the last 29 years, he has been the head instructor at Diamond Stars Baseball in Raleigh, NC.

#28 Mike Marshall, Pitcher/ Sandy Valdespino, Outfield

Dr. Mike Marshall would start the 1969 with the Pilots before being sold to the Detroit Tigers. Mike made 14 starts and appeared in 20 games for Seattle.

Late in August of '69 the Pilots traded Tommy Davis to Houston for Sandy. He would play in 20 games in September for the Pilots.


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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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#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.

#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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#12 Tommy Davis, OF / Danny Walton, OF

Again in 1969, two players would wear the same number for the Pilots. First was legendary player Tommy Davis.

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Davis did come back to Seattle as a coach in the early 80's under short time manager Maury Wills.

The second player would be outfielder Danny Walton.

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