Kirby Hill “Kal” Segrist Sr.: Texas Baseball Player and State Representative

During World War I, he served in the U.S. Navy.

Segrist, Kirby Hill, Sr. [Kal] (1896–1987).  Kirby Hill “Kal” Segrist, Sr., professional baseball player and state representative, son of Aaron Olen Segrist and Sue (McBeath) Segrist, was born on his family’s farm near Hico, Hamilton County, Texas, on February 27, 1896. He had three siblings, Cecil, Locille, and Loraine. On October 14, 1927, Kal married Samye Dovie Bethel. Together they had two children, Kal Jr. and Kay Segrist.

Kal Segrist served at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, CA Hospital during WWI.

Segrist received his education at Hico public schools, John Tarleton Agricultural College (now Tarleton State University), and Simmons College (now Hardin-Simmons University). He began his professional baseball career with two seasons (1914–15) in the Class D Central Texas League. During World War I, he served in the U.S. Navy as a second-class hospital apprentice stationed at the Mare Island Naval Hospital north of San Francisco. He was discharged on August 9, 1919. Following his discharge, he entered Simmons College, where he was third baseman for the baseball team and a member of the Oratorical Club, the Philo Literary Society, and the Over Seas Club.

In 1920 he resumed his professional baseball career with the Abilene Eagles of the West Texas League. The following season, he coached the sport at Abilene Christian College before beginning a six-year stint (1921–25) as third baseman for the Dallas Steers of the Class A Texas League. He was acquired by the San Antonio Bears for the 1926 season and then traded to the Omaha Buffaloes of the Western League (for which he also served as manager) for 1927. He concluded his minor league playing career with the Providence Grays of the Eastern League in 1928. He returned to the West Texas League as manager of the Midland Colts in 1929.

Raised on his family’s farm, Segrist farmed during the baseball off season and returned to farming after retiring from the sport. About 1931 he relocated with his family to Dallas, where he was a member of the Oak Cliff branch of the American Legion and the Cliff Temple Baptist Church. He started his political career in 1936, when he ran for commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture. His campaign platform included the creation of an honorary agricultural advisory board to advise the commissioner, a plan to fairly and impartially distribute jacks and studs among farmers throughout the state, and a promise to coordinate with state agricultural colleges and the vocational departments of high schools. In the Democratic primary Segrist finished last in the four-candidate field. In the runoff election he endorsed George B. Terrell, who lost to incumbent James E. McDonald.

Two years later Segrist ran for one of Dallas County’s seats in the state House of Representatives for the 1939–41 term. He won the Democratic nomination with 16,487 votes against Livingston Smith and D. M. Winfree, who received 9,948 votes and 4,248 votes, respectively, and was elected to represent District 50, Place 4. During his time in the Forty-sixth legislature, Segrist served on the House committees on Agriculture, Livestock and Stock Raising, Public Health, and State Affairs

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