#729 Bob Veale

Big man =Big Strikeout #=Big Bob Veale….One of the hardest throwers of the 60’, although in later years it didn’t always equate into wins….Reached  200 strikeouts four times …Led NL with 250 K’s 1964 but that mark wasn’t his career best (276 in 1965) …Also four time NL leader in walks…6-0 record in 1971 appears to be a winner on World Champion Team…but look closer…a whopping 7.04 ERA (6.99 ERA according to Baseball Reference) …either way must have been beneficiary of timely Bucs hitting…once the number one pitcher on the staff …rolled up impressive strikeout numbers going over 200 four times…big man, an imposing figure on the mound…card photos often show him in a Letterman’s jacket…In the prime of his career the letter should be K not P…In 1958, played in Las Vegas, after a mid season move from San Jose;  it probably was an interesting time to play in the fledgling Sin city…1971 brought a huge change in his role in the Pirates staff…relegated to the bullpen work….Split 1972 with Bucs and Red Sox…threw 8 shutout innings in Boston's bid for the 1972 AL pennant winning two and saving two….Hung up his Letterman's jacket in 1974.