Steve Dalkowski was one of the fastest pitchers in organized baseball history with a fastball thought to be over 100 miles per hours. Known for having trouble controlling the strike zone, he was the inspiration for the character “Nuke LaLoosh” in the movie Bull Durham.
- Died: Sunday, April 19, 2020 (Who else died on April 19?)
- Details of Death: Died at the age of 80 in New Britain, Connecticut of complications from COVID-19, his sister told the New York Times.
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One of the fastest pitchers ever
Dalkowski was signed as a pitcher by the Baltimore Orioles right after graduating from high school in 1957. Radar guns were not available then but players and coaches believe that he threw his fastball well over 100 miles per hour, some claim over 110 miles per hour. Though he struck out many batters, Dalkowski struggled with his control, walking many and sometimes throwing pitches into the stands. He spent his entire baseball career in the minor leagues, finishing with almost as many walks as strikeouts. Cor
Inspiration for Nuke LaLoosh
Bull Durham screenwriter and director Ron Shelton loosely based the character “Nuke LaLoosh” after Dalkowski for his movie. The film was about Shelton’s experiences in the minor leagues. He played for the Orioles farm system right after Dalkowski and he was told many stories about the pitching legend.
What they said about him
Full Obituary: legacy.com/Hartford Courant
