Former Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star, World Series Pitcher Dies

Title: Former Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star, World Series Pitcher Dies Bob Veale, a former All-Star pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, passed away at the age of 89. Veale had a successful 11-season career with the Pirates from 1962 to 1972. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, he was the second of 14 children and had a family background in baseball. He showcased talent in both basketball and baseball during his youth, but his father prevented him from joining a traveling basketball team. Veale began his baseball journey as a batboy for the Birmingham Black Barons and pitched during batting practice at a young age. He earned an athletic scholarship to Benedictine College, where he excelled in both baseball and basketball. Veale was signed by the Pirates after a tryout in 1958, having caught the attention of scouts from both the Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals. He led the National League in strikeouts in 1964 and made the All-Star Game in consecutive seasons thereafter. Veale contributed to the Pirates' 1971 World Series victory while pitching out of the bullpen. After retiring from playing in 1974, he worked as a minor league pitching instructor and was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.

Original Article: https://www.si.com/mlb/pirates/news/former-pittsburgh-pirates-bob-veale-dies

Original Article Author: Dominic Campbell