Steve Dalkowski (1939–2020), the inspiration for "Nuke LaLoosh" in the movie Bull Durham

SteveDalkowskiwas one of the fastest pitchers in organized baseballhistorywith a fastball thought to be over100 miles per hours. Known for having trouble controlling the strike zone, he was the inspiration for the character NukeLaLoosh1d in the movie Bull Durham.

• Died:Sunday, April19, 2020 (Who else died on April19?)
• Details of Death:Died at the age of80 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

Dalkowskiwas signed as a pitcher by the Baltimore Orioles right after graduating from high schoolin 1957. Radar guns were notavailablethenbut players and coaches believethathethrew his fastball well over 100 miles per hour, someclaimover 110 miles per hour.Though he struck out many batters, Dalkowskistruggled 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 NukeLaLoosh

BullDurham screenwriter and director Ron Sheltonlooselybased the characterNukeLaLoosh1d afterDalkowskifor his movie. Thefilmwas about Shelton19s experiences in the minor leagues. He played for the Orioles farm system right afterDalkowskiand he was told many stories about the pitching legend.

What they said about him

Full Obituary: legacy.com/Hartford Courant