Legendary MLB Pitcher Has Died Suddenly At 89 Years Old
01/07/2025 12:59 PM
Bob Veale, a two-time All-Star pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, died at age 89.
Gerald Watkins, executive director of the Friends of Rickwood Field, confirmed to AL.com's Creg Stephenson that Veale passed away over the weekend.
Veale spent 11 of his 13 MLB seasons with the Pirates before concluding his career with the Boston Red Sox. The 6-foot-6 lefty posted a 3.07 ERA in 1,926 major league innings.
One of the hardest throwers of his time, Veale posted an MLB-leading 250 strikeouts in 1964, his first full season in Pittsburgh's rotation. He made All-Star appearances in each of the next two years, registering a career-high 276 strikeouts in 1965 and a 3.02 ERA with 229 punchouts in 1966.
Veale pitched over 200 innings in seven straight seasons from 1964 to 1970. In 1968, he authored a 2.05 ERA despite issuing MLB's most walks for the fourth time in his career.
Although he moved to the bullpen amid struggles the following year, Veale won a World Series with the Pirates in 1971. He later issued a 3.45 ERA in 57.1 innings as a Red Sox reliever.
Before his big league promotion, Veale set an International League record by recording 22 strikeouts in a game. The southpaw also threw a minor league no-hitter in 1959.
Growing up in Birmingham, Veale was a batboy and concession worker for the Black Barons. He threw batting practice to the iconic Negro Leagues squad, which won three championships during the 1940s behind the legendary Willie Mays.
After retiring, Veale was a scout for the Atlanta Braves and a New York Yankees minor league coach. Veale later returned to Rickwood Field to work as a groundskeeper in his 50s and helped open the Negro Southern League Museum in Birmingham.
Our condolences go to Veale's loved ones for their loss.
