Former Pirates All-Star Pitcher, Strikeout King Bob Veale Has Passed Away

Title: Former Pirates All-Star Pitcher, Strikeout King Bob Veale Has Died Bob Veale, a former Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star pitcher and major league strikeout leader, passed away at the age of 89. Veale was a dominant left-handed pitcher who played for the Pirates from 1962 to 1972 and the Boston Red Sox from 1972 to 1974. He achieved a career record of 120 wins and 95 losses, with a 3.07 ERA, 1,703 strikeouts, and 21 saves over 397 games. In 1964, Veale led the major leagues with 250 strikeouts, a season that also saw him lead the National League in walks. Known for his intimidating stature at 6'6" and 212 pounds, he was recognized for his exceptional fastball. Veale was selected as an All-Star in 1965 and 1966 but did not pitch in those games. He played a crucial role in the 1971 World Series championship team, despite a peculiar season with a 6-0 record but a high ERA of 6.99. On June 1, 1965, Veale pitched a complete game against the Philadelphia Phillies, striking out a franchise-record 16 batters. He had notable performances against the San Francisco Giants, including a complete game victory on Opening Day in 1965. Veale's fastball was highly regarded, with contemporaries like Dick Allen and Dick Stuart claiming he threw harder than the legendary Sandy Koufax.

Original Article: https://lastwordonsports.com/baseball/2025/01/07/pirates-bob-veale-died/

Original Article Author: Joe Landolina