History
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The Pilot's second round began by choosing Chico Salmon, and infielder from Cleveland. Their next pick was pitcher Diego Segui from Oakland. He would not only pitch for the Pilots but was the Mariner's opening day pitcher in 1977. Seattle's eighth pick was for outfielder Tommy Davis from the White Sox. The final two picks of this round were for pitchers Marty Pattin from California and Gerry Schoen from Washington.
The third round choices were Boston pitcher Gary Bell, A's pitcher Jack Aker, Twins' third basemen Rich Rollins, Cleveland outfielder Lou Piniella and Washington pitcher Charlie Bates. The following rounds would bring to Seattle catcher Larry Haney, pitcher Dick Baney, pitcher John Miklos, outfielder Steve Hovley, pitcher Steve Barber, outfielder Wayne Comer, pitcher Darrell Brandon, pitcher Skip Lockwood, pitcher Gary Timberlake, pitcher Bob Richmond, pitcher John Morris, pitcher Paul Click, pitcher Mike Marshall, infielder Jim Gosger and infielder Mike Ferraro.
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Seattle was pleased with the players they had chosen and felt ready to field a major league team. However, in baseball that off-season there loomed a possible strike. Marvin Miller, the player's union leader, was trying to re-negotiate a the pension fund contract. As spring training started, the only players that walked on the Pilots new field in Arizona were players without major league contracts. Finally, on February 25th the strike was over.
Meanwhile in Seattle there were problems with expanding Sick's Stadium. The cost of the improvements were going up, a subcontractor threatened to remove the landfill because he claimed he had not been paid, and it became clear that the stadium would open with only around 17,000 seats ready.
The Pilots first season would begin in California against the Angels. One person not with the team was Lou Piniella. He began spring training well, but an injury hurt his performance and was traded to Kansas City. Not only would he have an effective year with the new Royals, but would go on and win the Rookie of the Year award for 1969.