Bob Veale – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bob Veale ranked among the most dominant strikeout pitchers in Major League Baseball during the 1960s. He terrorized National League batters with a blazing fastball and a nasty slider.

This lefty from Birmingham, Alabama, carved out a remarkable 13-year career from 1962 to 1974. He pitched mostly for the Pittsburgh Pirates, then wrapped things up with the Boston Red Sox.

Veale hung up his spikes in September 1974 at age 38. He left baseball as one of the most feared power pitchers of his era, racking up 1,703 career strikeouts and a 120-95 record. His dominance hit its peak in the mid-1960s, when he led the National League in strikeouts and made two All-Star teams. He helped turn the Pirates into a real force in the league.

Veale’s story is classic baseball. He started out working concession stands at Birmingham’s Rickwood Field, and he ended up a World Series champion with the 1971 Pirates.

After retiring, Veale gave back to the game as a minor league instructor and even a groundskeeper. He stayed close to baseball for the rest of his life, all the way until his passing in January 2025 at age 89.

Early Life and Education

Bob Veale’s baseball journey started in Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up in a family with deep baseball roots and later stood out as a multi-sport athlete at Benedictine College in Kansas.

Family Background

Bob Veale was born on October 28, 1935, in Birmingham, Alabama. His dad pitched for the Homestead Grays of the Negro National League, so baseball was in his blood from the start.

Veale grew up in Birmingham’s Ensley neighborhood and went to Holy Family High School. As a kid, he worked at the concession stand at Rickwood Field, one of the oldest ballparks in the country.

Piper Davis, the Birmingham Black Barons’ player-manager, noticed young Veale and made him the team’s batboy. Davis let Veale throw batting practice, giving him a taste of the mound early on.

In 1948, Davis even let the underage Veale pitch in an actual Black Barons game. Since Veale was still a minor, nobody put his appearance in the official records. That was just how things went back then.

High School Years

Veale attended Holy Family High School in Birmingham’s Ensley neighborhood during the early 1950s. The school gave him a place to build his athletic skills while keeping up with classes.

He stayed involved with local baseball thanks to his Black Barons connection. Pitching batting practice and hanging around pro players taught him a lot about the game.

During high school, Veale met his future wife, Eredean. She was his sweetheart from those days, and they eventually married in 1973.

Benedictine College Athletics

In 1955, Veale left Birmingham for Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, thanks to an athletic scholarship. That move marked a big step for both his education and his sports career.

At Benedictine, Veale played both baseball and basketball for the Ravens. He showed off his natural athleticism across two sports.

His time at Benedictine helped him get ready for pro baseball. Playing against tougher competition and getting quality coaching made a real difference when he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1958.

In 1990, Benedictine College inducted Veale into the Raven Hall of Fame. The school recognized what he gave to their athletic program back in the mid-1950s.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Bob Veale pitched 13 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1962 to 1974. He built a reputation as one of the era’s most dominant strikeout pitchers.

He spent most of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, then finished up with the Boston Red Sox. He tallied 120 wins and 1,703 strikeouts.

Debut and Rookie Seasons

Veale made his MLB debut on April 16, 1962, starting against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. He lasted just 2⅓ innings, giving up three earned runs on six hits and three walks.

He picked up his first win on April 26 in Pittsburgh by pitching a complete game to beat the New York Mets 4-3. That win helped the Pirates tie their record with a tenth straight victory to open the season.

After a couple rough starts, the team moved Veale to the bullpen. He pitched four times in relief before heading back to Columbus in the minors on May 25.

The Pirates brought him back up in September 1962. He notched his first save on September 30 and threw a three-hit victory over Milwaukee on September 28.

Manager Danny Murtaugh used Veale mostly as a reliever in 1963. Veale posted a 0.70 ERA in 10 games before returning to the starting rotation on August 25.

Time with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Veale became a full-time starter in 1964 and led the National League with 250 strikeouts. He finished 18-12 with a 2.74 ERA.

His 250 strikeouts just edged out Bob Gibson for the league lead. On the last day, Veale asked for three innings of work to secure the title, picking up five more strikeouts.

In 1965, Veale struck out 276 batters, the most in Pirates modern history. He went 17-12 with a 2.84 ERA as Pittsburgh finished 90-72.

On June 1, 1965, Veale struck out 16 Phillies while tossing a five-hit shutout. Rain interrupted the game twice, and Veale had to warm up three separate times.

Key Pirates Statistics:

• Games: 341 (255 starts)
• Record: 116-91
• ERA: 3.06
• Strikeouts: 1,652

Veale played in two All-Star Games, 1965 and 1966. He earned a World Series ring with the Pirates in 1971.

Final Years with the Boston Red Sox

The Pirates sold Veale to the Boston Red Sox in 1972. He shifted from starter to reliever in his last three seasons.

Veale adjusted well to the bullpen. He brought veteran leadership and still had his strikeout stuff for the Red Sox staff.

His final MLB season came in 1974 at age 38. Veale retired that September after 13 seasons in the big leagues.

When he left the game, Veale was the only Pirates pitcher to ever notch 200 strikeouts in a season. He finished with 120 wins, a 3.07 ERA, and 1,703 strikeouts.

Veale ended his career with a 1.320 WHIP and 113 ERA+. Baseball Reference credits him with 21.9 Wins Above Replacement over his 13 years.

Pitching Performance and Achievements

Bob Veale made his mark as one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers of the 1960s and early 1970s. He piled up 120 wins and 1,703 strikeouts in 13 years.

He holds the second-highest strikeout total in Pirates history and earned two All-Star nods at his peak.

Strikeout Records

Veale’s biggest claim to fame was his knack for striking out hitters. He recorded 1,703 strikeouts, making him second all-time among Pirates pitchers.

His strikeout-to-innings pitched ratio of 7.96 is the best in Pirates history. That stat shows how many batters he fanned per nine innings.

Veale’s best year for strikeouts was 1965, when he punched out 276 in 266 innings. In 1964, he struck out 250, proving he could keep up the pace.

The tall lefty often ranked among the league leaders in strikeouts. Opposing hitters just didn’t want to face him.

Wins and Innings Pitched

Veale put together a 120-95 record, good for a .558 winning percentage. His best year was 1964, when he went 18-12.

He logged 1,926 innings in his career, most of them with Pittsburgh. Veale topped 200 innings in seven different seasons, showing he could handle a heavy workload.

His career ERA was 3.07, which speaks to his effectiveness. Veale completed 78 games and threw 20 shutouts, proving he could finish what he started.

He made 255 starts out of 397 appearances. When teams needed him in relief, he could do that too.

All-Star Selections

Veale earned All-Star nods in 1965 and 1966. Those selections put him among the National League’s top pitchers.

In 1965, he went 17-12 with a 2.84 ERA and led the league with 276 strikeouts. That year, he tossed seven shutouts and 14 complete games.

He kept it going the next year with a 16-12 record and a 3.02 ERA. Veale struck out 229 and threw three shutouts during his second All-Star campaign.

Those All-Star appearances really highlight just how good Veale was during the mid-1960s.

Notable 1971 World Series Contribution

Veale played for the 1971 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, who beat the Baltimore Orioles. That World Series win stood as the biggest team achievement of his career.

By 1971, Veale worked out of the bullpen. He pitched in 37 games, all in relief, and picked up two saves for the Pirates.

That ‘71 team had stars like Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell. Veale’s experience and steady hand gave the pitching staff depth during their championship run.

This World Series title was the only one Veale won, and it capped his best years in Pittsburgh.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Bob Veale wrapped up his 13-year MLB career in September 1974 after two years as a reliever with the Boston Red Sox. He moved into coaching roles with big league organizations and later earned recognition for his impact on Alabama sports.

Retirement in 1974

Veale officially stepped away from professional baseball in September 1974. His last two seasons with the Red Sox marked a real change from his earlier days as a starter.

From 1972 to 1974, Veale mostly pitched in relief for Boston. That move to the bullpen started after an injury in 1968 and became permanent by 1971.

He finished his MLB career with a 120-95 record and a 3.07 ERA across 397 games. He struck out 1,703 batters in 1,926 innings.

Veale found success during his 13 seasons in the majors. He played for just two teams: 11 years with the Pirates and then a couple with Boston.

Coaching and Mentoring Roles

After his playing days, Veale stayed in the game through coaching and instruction. He worked as a minor league instructor for two major league organizations.

The Atlanta Braves brought Veale into their minor league system as an instructor. His All-Star experience gave him plenty to share with young pitchers.

He also worked as a minor league instructor for the New York Yankees. These jobs let him pass on his pitching knowledge to the next generation.

Veale focused on working with pitchers in the minors. His background as a strikeout specialist made him a valuable teacher.

Moving from player to instructor was a natural step for many retired big leaguers. Veale’s 13 years in the majors gave him real credibility with up-and-coming players.

Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Induction

People in Alabama honored Veale for his baseball achievements when they inducted him into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. That moment really celebrated what he brought to sports in his home state.

They inducted him more than 40 years after he retired from professional baseball. The recognition highlighted both his MLB career and his influence on Alabama sports.

He grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and always kept strong ties to his home state. The Hall of Fame recognized him as one of Alabama’s most successful professional athletes.

Veale’s career included two All-Star selections and a key role on the Pirates’ 1971 World Series championship team. These achievements helped land him among Alabama’s sports legends.

They also honored his college career at Benedictine College, where he shined in baseball and basketball before signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Legacy, Memorials, and Tributes

When Bob Veale passed away in January 2025, his alma mater set up a memorial fund, and fans along with the baseball community shared heartfelt tributes. The family has offered ways for supporters to honor his memory but asked for privacy as they grieve.

Bob Veale Memorial Fund

Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, established the Bob Veale Memorial Fund after his death. This fund serves as the main way for people to honor the former Pirates pitcher.

Donation Details:

• Institution: Benedictine College (formerly Saint Benedict College)
• Contact: Tim Andrews
• Address: 1020 N. 2nd St. Atchison, KS 66002
• Check Instructions: Make checks payable to “Benedictine College”

The family asked for donations to this fund instead of flowers. The memorial fund has a direct link to Veale’s college career before he turned pro.

The Pirates signed Veale out of Benedictine College in 1958. That was seven years before Major League Baseball introduced the amateur draft system.

Honors at Benedictine College

Benedictine College played a big part in Veale’s early baseball journey. The school gave him a path to professional baseball when the Pirates picked him up in 1958.

Back then, the college went by Saint Benedict College. Veale spent his college years in Atchison, Kansas, before starting his 13-season MLB career.

The memorial fund at Benedictine College keeps his connection to the school alive. The college’s baseball program continues to honor one of its most successful alumni.

Veale’s signing from Benedictine College happened in a different era of baseball. Teams could sign players straight from college without today’s draft restrictions.

Fan Tributes and Flowers

The Veale family asked supporters to donate to the memorial fund instead of sending flowers. They wanted a lasting tribute to his baseball legacy.

They planned a private celebration of life in Birmingham, Alabama. The family decided to keep the service small and intimate.

Baseball fans and old teammates have remembered Veale with all kinds of tributes. He lived to 89, so several generations of fans got to enjoy his contributions.

By declining flowers, the family showed their focus on educational giving. The memorial fund offers a more permanent way to honor Veale’s impact on both baseball and education.

Personal Life and Community Involvement

Bob Veale’s life stretched well beyond the baseball field, defined by close family ties and deep roots in the Birmingham community. He cared about helping others and giving back to his hometown, which shaped his legacy just as much as his strikeout records.

Family and Relationships

Bob Veale grew up as the second of 14 kids. His father, Bob Veale Sr., played in the Negro Leagues and deeply influenced his son’s early baseball days.

His mom, Ollie Belle Ushry, also raised him in Birmingham. Growing up in such a big family taught him the value of support and hard work.

Marriage came later in life for Veale, the tall lefty. While he played for the Boston Red Sox, he married his high school sweetheart, Eredean Sanders from Graysville. He put off marriage for years so he could help his siblings get through college.

That decision really shows how committed he was to his family. Veale told reporters he wanted all his brothers and sisters to have educational opportunities before starting his own family.

Charity and Philanthropy

Veale showed his charitable side by making sure all 14 of his siblings could attend college. He used his baseball earnings to help them succeed.

He stayed involved in the Birmingham community his whole life. After he retired, Veale worked as a groundskeeper at Rickwood Field two days a week in the late 1980s.

Rickwood Field meant a lot to Veale, since he worked concession stands there as a kid. He chased down foul balls to sell back to teams and served as a bat boy for the Birmingham Black Barons.

Veale played an active role in planning the Negro Southern League Museum, which opened in 2015. That project helped preserve baseball history and honored the legacy of Negro League players like his father.

Impact on Future Generations

Bob Veale really shaped the next wave of baseball players by jumping into coaching and scouting. He took on roles with both the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees after he hung up his glove.

He didn’t just stick to the big leagues, either. In 1983, he joined the coaching staff for the Utica Blue Sox, a team in the New York-Penn League that wasn’t affiliated with any major league club.

People started to notice what he brought to the game. In 2006, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame inducted Veale, tipping their cap to both his playing days and everything he did for baseball in Alabama.

Veale even found his way into pop culture. He served as a consultant for the 1994 movie “Cobb,” lending his baseball smarts to give the film an authentic feel.

And of course, there’s his quote: “Good pitching can stop good hitting every time, and vice-versa.” Fans and players alike still toss that line around, since it sums up the never-ending duel between pitchers and hitters.