Steve Dalkowski, inspiration for Nuke LaLoosh character in 'Bull Durham,' dies at 80

Former Baltimore Orioles minor-leaguer Steve Dalkowski, whose blazing fastball and incurable wildness formed the basis for a main character in the movie "Bull Durham," has died at the age of 80. 

Dalkowski died April 19 in his hometown of New Britain, Connecticut, from what family members said were pre-existing health issues complicated by coronavirus.

Signed by the Orioles out of high school in 1957, the left-hander became legendary for how hard he could throw, with a fastball that was said to top 100 mph. Pitching with what has been described as a "buggy-whip" or "slingshot" motion, Dalkowski once struck out 24 batters -- and walked 18 -- in a single minor-league game.

Former major-league manager Cal Ripken Sr., who was Dalkowski's catcher in the Orioles farm system, once estimated his fastball was between 110 and 115 mph. However, his inability to control where it was going kept him from ever reaching the major leagues.

"Bull Durham" writer-director Ron Shelton, who spent five years playing in the Orioles farm system, modeled pitcher Nuke LaLoosh (played by Tim Robbins) after Dalkowski in his acclaimed movie about life in the minors.

Shelton said legendary slugger Ted Williams once faced Dalkowski in a spring training game and after one pitch, the lefty-hitting Williams exited the batter's box and said, "I never want to face him again." Among all the pitchers Williams saw in his career, he called Dalkowski the "fastest ever."

Over nine minor-league seasons, Dalkowski struck out 1,324 batters and walked 1,236 in 956 innings (12.5 K/9, 11.6 BB/9). He also threw 145 wild pitches, one of which was so wild it hit a team mascot -- and later inspired another memorable moment in Shelton's film.