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Former Pirates pitcher Bob Veale, 89, dies

Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bob Veale died at the age of 89. The Pirates confirmed his death on Tuesday.

Veale made 341 appearances for the Bucs, logging a 116-91 record. He recorded a 3.06 ERA and struck out 1,652 while pitching for the franchise from 1962-72. He finished his career second in franchise history in strikeouts, tied for ninth in shutouts (20), tied for 10th in wins (116) and ninth in ERA.

He led the National League with 250 strikeouts in 1964, becoming the third Pirate to lead the league in strikeouts, joining Rube Waddell (1900) and Preacher Roe (1945).

Veale was a two-time all-star, making the “Midsummer Classic” in 1965 and 1966. He was also a member of the Pirates’ 1971 World Series team that beat the Baltimore Orioles.

“Bob was an integral member of the Pirates who helped our team capture back-to-back division titles as well as the 1971 World Series,” said Pirates Chairman, Bob Nutting. “He was one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers in all of Major League Baseball during his remarkable big league career that he proudly spent a majority of as a member of the Pirates. He was a great man who will be missed.”

The Birmingham, Alabama, native was attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, before signing an amateur contract with the Pirates in 1958.

Following his 11 seasons with the Pirates, he signed with the Boston Red Sox. The 36-year-old already transitioned from the rotation to the bullpen by that point.

In three seasons with the Red Sox, he recorded a 4-4 record in 56 appearances. He posted a 3.45 ERA and 57 1/3 innings pitched. He struck out 51 in his brief stint in the American League.

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