A Pirates legend passed away over the weekend. Big Bob Veale, a flame-throwing 6-foot-6 left-hander died at his home in Birmingham, Alabama. Veale was a two-time All-Star with the Pirates and was a member of the 1971 World Series champions. He was 120-95 with a 3.07 ERA and 1,703 strikeouts, with 78 complete games and 20 shutouts in his 13-year Major League career. The Pirates sold his contract to the Red Sox during the 1972 season and he pitched two more years in Boston.
Veale’s blazing fastball and poor eyesight made for great tales from players and broadcasters alike. Willie Stargell said he could see blue flames from the ball from left field after a game in 1966 and Bob Prince called Veale’s fastball a “radio ball,” because you could hear it but you couldn’t see it.
Pirates chairman Bob Nutting released a statement in which he said Veale “was a great man who will be missed.”
PIRATES ROSTER NEWS
The Pirates have added right-handed reliever Elvis Alvarado to the 40-man roster. They signed the converted outfielder with a big fastball on December 28th. He played last year in the Marlins’ minor league system and has pitched in the minor league systems of the Nationals, Mariners, and Tigers.
