Bob Veale Was One of The Greatest Pitchers in Pittsburgh Pirates History

Former MLB pitcher Bob Veale, who spent the bulk of his career with Pittsburgh Pirates, passed away over the weekend at the age of 89.

Veale, a native of Alabama, developed a love for baseball as a batboy and concession worker for the Birmingham Black Barons in the Negro Leagues during his formative years. Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1958, Veale would make his MLB debut with the club in 1962.

A southpaw standing at an imposing 6,5 and with a blazing fastball, Veale would become a mainstay in the Bucs rotation between 1964 and 1970. In 1964, Veale won a career high 18 games while leading the NL in both strikeouts (250) and walks (124). No Pirates pitcher has led the NL in strikeouts since. Veale actually struck out 276 batters in 1965 but would finish a distant second in the NL in strikeouts to one Sandy Koufax who struck out an NL record 382 batters. 

In 1965 and 1966, Veale would earn back-to-back NL All-Star Team selections. Veale would also lead the NL in walks on four occasions. But his lack of control made Veale even more fearsome to NL hitters.

In 1971, Bucs skipper Danny Murtaugh moved Veale to the bullpen. Although he struggled posting a 6.99 ERA, he nevertheless would earn a World Series ring with the Pirates.

However, the Pirates would sell Veale's contract to the Boston Red Sox late in the 1972 season. Veale would pitch out of the bullpen for the Red Sox in 1973 and 1974 missing another chance at a World Series appearance by one year. In 13 MLB seasons, Veale made 397 appearances (including 255 starts) posting a 120-95 record with a 3.07 ERA with 1703 strikeouts against 858 walks. 

Of Veale's 1703 career strikeouts, 1652 came in a Pirates uniform. Those 1652 strikeouts are still the second most in Bucs' history - only 30 strikeouts behind former teammate Bob Friend. 

Although Veale would spend some time as a scout and minor league coach with the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees, he will always be associated with the Pittsburgh Pirates and should be remembered as one of the best pitchers ever to wear a Bucs uniform. R.I.P.