Phil Seghi
Encyclopedia
Philip Dominic Seghi was an American
front-office executive in Major League Baseball
. A longtime associate of Gabe Paul
, Seghi was credited with scouting and signing Pete Rose
, the all-time leader in hits
, when Seghi was farm system and scouting director of the Cincinnati Reds
in 1960
. A native of Cedar Point, Illinois
, Seghi attended Northwestern University
. During his active career, he was an infielder
in minor league baseball
.
During the years after World War II
, Seghi was a manager
in the lower minor leagues
, working in the Pittsburgh Pirates
and Cleveland Indians
organizations. He succeeded Bill McKechnie Jr. as Cincinnati's farm director in the mid-1950s. Serving under Paul and his successor, Bill DeWitt
, Seghi remained with the Reds until 1968
, a period during which the Reds developed one of the most fruitful player development organizations in the game.
In 1963
, Seghi was promoted to assistant general manager, but a change in ownership and the arrival of Bob Howsam
in 1967
as GM caused Seghi to leave Cincinnati for the Oakland Athletics
between 1968 and 1971. Led by flamboyant owner Charlie Finley and awash with young talent, the A's were on the verge of a dynasty, winning five consecutive American League West Division titles (1971-75) and three consecutive AL pennants and World Series
titles (1972-74). Seghi served as farm and scouting director and assistant to Finley, who was his own general manager.
By 1972
, however, Seghi was back working with Paul as assistant general manager of the Cleveland Indians, and succeeded Paul as the Indians' GM in 1973
. His most notable achievement occurred after the 1974
season, when he and owner Alva "Ted" Bonda appointed Frank Robinson
(signed and developed by Seghi's Cincinnati farm system of the 1950s) as major league baseball's first African-American manager
. Seghi would serve 13 full seasons as Cleveland's general manager, but the Indians enjoyed only three winning seasons during that time.
Seghi stepped down after the 1985 campaign to become a senior player personnel adviser with Cleveland. He died of cancer
in Thousand Oaks, California
, on January 8, 1987, at the age of 77.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
front-office executive in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. A longtime associate of Gabe Paul
Gabe Paul
Gabriel Howard Paul was an American executive in Major League Baseball who served as general manager of three teams and, perhaps most famously, as president of the New York Yankees under George Steinbrenner during the 1970s....
, Seghi was credited with scouting and signing Pete Rose
Pete Rose
Peter Edward Rose , nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989....
, the all-time leader in hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, when Seghi was farm system and scouting director of the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in 1960
1960 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees ; Bobby Richardson, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5-3*All-Star Game , July 13 at Yankee Stadium: National League, 6-0...
. A native of Cedar Point, Illinois
Cedar Point, Illinois
Cedar Point is a village in LaSalle County, Illinois, United States. The population was 262 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Ottawa–Streator Micropolitan Statistical Area...
, Seghi attended Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
. During his active career, he was an infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
in minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
.
During the years after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Seghi was a manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
in the lower minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, working in the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
organizations. He succeeded Bill McKechnie Jr. as Cincinnati's farm director in the mid-1950s. Serving under Paul and his successor, Bill DeWitt
Bill DeWitt
William Orville DeWitt Sr. was a longtime executive in Major League Baseball whose career spanned more than 50 years in the game. His son William DeWitt, Jr. is currently the principal owner and managing partner of the St. Louis Cardinals, while grandson William O...
, Seghi remained with the Reds until 1968
1968 in baseball
-The Year of the Pitcher:In Major League Baseball, the trend throughout the 1960s was of increased pitching dominance, caused by enforcing a larger strike zone beginning in 1963...
, a period during which the Reds developed one of the most fruitful player development organizations in the game.
In 1963
1963 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers beat New York Yankees ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 9 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5–3; Willie Mays, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: USC...
, Seghi was promoted to assistant general manager, but a change in ownership and the arrival of Bob Howsam
Bob Howsam
Robert Lee Howsam was an executive in American professional sport who, in 1959, played a key role in establishing two leagues — the American Football League, which succeeded and merged with the National Football League, and baseball's Continental League, which never played a game but forced...
in 1967
1967 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over Boston Red Sox ; Bob Gibson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 11 at Anaheim Stadium: National League, 2-1 ; Tony Pérez, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
as GM caused Seghi to leave Cincinnati for the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
between 1968 and 1971. Led by flamboyant owner Charlie Finley and awash with young talent, the A's were on the verge of a dynasty, winning five consecutive American League West Division titles (1971-75) and three consecutive AL pennants and World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
titles (1972-74). Seghi served as farm and scouting director and assistant to Finley, who was his own general manager.
By 1972
1972 in baseball
-Labor strife and more moving:1972 was tainted by a players' strike over pension and salary arbitration. The strike erased the first week and a half of the season, and the Leagues decided to just excise the lost portion of the season with no makeups. As a result, an uneven number of games were...
, however, Seghi was back working with Paul as assistant general manager of the Cleveland Indians, and succeeded Paul as the Indians' GM in 1973
1973 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Oakland Athletics over New York Mets ; Reggie Jackson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 24 at Royals Stadium: National League, 7–1; Bobby Bonds, MVP-Other champions:...
. His most notable achievement occurred after the 1974
1974 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*1974 World Series: Oakland Athletics over Los Angeles Dodgers ; Rollie Fingers, MVP*All-Star Game, July 23 at Three Rivers Stadium: National League, 7-2; Steve Garvey, MVP-Other champions:...
season, when he and owner Alva "Ted" Bonda appointed Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
(signed and developed by Seghi's Cincinnati farm system of the 1950s) as major league baseball's first African-American manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
. Seghi would serve 13 full seasons as Cleveland's general manager, but the Indians enjoyed only three winning seasons during that time.
Seghi stepped down after the 1985 campaign to become a senior player personnel adviser with Cleveland. He died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in Thousand Oaks, California
Thousand Oaks, California
Thousand Oaks is a city in southeastern Ventura County, California, in the United States. It was named after the many oak trees that grace the area, and the city seal is adorned with an oak....
, on January 8, 1987, at the age of 77.