Bob Veale was a Major League Baseball pitcher in the 1960s and ‘70s, best known as a World Series-winning ace and strikeout king for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
- Died: January 5, 2025 (Who else died on January 5?)
- Details of death: Died in Birmingham, Alabama at the age of 89.
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Bob Veale’s legacy
For a time, Veale was one of the hardest throwers in the major leagues, leading the National League in 1964 and striking out 755 batters from ‘64 to ‘66. The left-hander threw so hard, Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster Bob Prince called his fastball a “radio ball.” You could hear it, he said, but couldn’t see it.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Veale grew up around baseball. His father pitched for the Homestead Grays in the Negro National League, and as a young man, Veale was a batboy and batting practice pitcher for the Birmingham Black Barons. He earned his own chance to shine in 1958, when he signed with the Pirates as a free agent. He quickly became a minor league standout with a blazing fastball, and as a result made the leap to the big leagues in 1962 at 26.
Two years later, Veale set the team record for the most strikeouts in a nine-inning game when he set down 15 Milwaukee Braves, and went on to top NL pitchers with 250, edging out the legendary Bob Gibson for the crown. He was even better in 1965, striking out 276 players and finishing with a 2.84 ERA, though he was a distant second to Sandy Koufax, who had one of the best years in baseball history with 382 strikeouts. In ’66, he set down another 229 opponents.
The way Veale pitched changed in 1968 due to an elbow injury, and though he continued to be strong on the mound – he struck out 213 in 1969 – he was never the same afterward. He did, however, manage to retire with a World Series ring when he helped the Pirates defeat the Baltimore Orioles in the 1971 seven-game series. Retiring in 1974 at the age of 38 after a short period relief pitching for the Boston Red Sox, Veale is still second all-time in strikeouts for the Pirates.
In his post-playing years, he served as a minor league pitching instructor for the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. Veale was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
Tributes to Bob Veale
Full obituary: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
