Posted on 04/30/2020 3:37:25 PM PDT by DFG
Steve Dalkowski, a hard-throwing, wild left-hander whose minor league career inspired the creation of Nuke LaLoosh in the movie “Bull Durham," has died. He was 80.
He died Sunday at the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain. His sister, Patricia Cain, said Friday he had several pre-existing conditions that were complicated when he became infected with the new coronavirus. Dalkowski had been in assisted living for 26 years because of alcoholic dementia.
Dalkowski never reached the major leagues but was said to have thrown well over 100 mph. Long before velocity was tracked with precision, he spawned legends that estimated he approached 110 mph or 115 mph -- some said even 125 mph.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
I wonder who inspired the Susan Sarandon character, or the Kevin Costner character?
I have heard that Chase Riddle was the model for Costner’s character.
125 mph. I HIGHLY doubt it.
Still not 168mph...
Seriously though. Pro sports really does suck to the amatuer athlete filled with hopes and dreams. You're just fresh meat on the hoof. Alcoholic dementia?... I'm sure that's the case for many before him and many after. That sucks, may he rest in peace now that he is rid of his demons.
Sid Finch was one in a billion.
Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon ruined what could have been an OK movie. With them two in it it’s unwatchable.
When I was in high school our church would sometimes play a pickup game with other churches. One Sunday afternoon the church we played was a real country one. As we were warming up, their pitcher and I were throwing to each other.
This kid threw so hard that it literally scared me. I played high school baseball. One of our pitchers later started at Florida and he didn’t even come close to this kid.
I never heard any more about him. He didn’t attend school. Still someone should have given him a tryout just to see what he could do.
I should have mentioned that we were playing slow pitch softball.
I never saw a Bull Durham but this sounds kind of like the plot of Major League. I think Charlie Sheen played a character who could throw for high velocity but had no control.
Reminds me of Rex Barney, a hard-thrower who came up in the Dodgers organization in the late 40s. It was said he pitched like the plate was high and outside. Happier ending though.... he was later the PA man at the old Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.
Spent many a happy summer day in the 70’s as a teenager at Memorial Stadium. Rex was the best.
RIP.
Ryne Duren as well
Give that fan....a contract.
Who knew?
Saw the movie at a friend's house because she wanted to. Summary: minor leaguer weakens self via futile nonmarital activities with Susan Sarandon.
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