Steve Dalkowski, inspiration for ‘Bull Durham,’ dies at 80
FILE - This is a 1959 file photo showing Baltimore Orioles minor league pitcher Steve Dalkowski posed in Miami, Fla. Dalkowski, a hard-throwing, wild left-hander who inspired the creation of the character Nuke LaLoosh in the movie "Bull Durham" but never pitched in a big league game, died April 19, 2020, at the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain. He was 80. His sister, Patricia Cain, said Friday, April 24, 2020, he had several pre-existing conditions that were complicated when he became infected with the novel coronavirus. (AP Photo/File)
The minor league pitcher whose career inspired the creation of Nuke LaLoosh in the movie “Bull Durham” has died.
Steve Dalkowski died Sunday in New Britain, Connecticut.
His sister says he had several pre-existing conditions that were complicated by COVID-19.
Dalkowski never reached the major leagues but was said to have thrown well over 100 mph.
Lack of control was his downfall. In one minor league season in 1960, he struck out 262 and walked 262.
Steve Dalkowski was 80 years old.
