Former Pittsburgh Pirates World Series champion pitcher Bob Veale has died, the team announced Tuesday. He was 89. Veale, a two-time MLB All-Star, also pitched for the Boston Red Sox during his 13-year career. (Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) Bettmann Archive

Bob Veale, a longtime left-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has died at 89 years old in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, the team announced.

Longtime Pirates broadcaster Bob Prince had a nickname for Bob Veale’s fastball: a “radio ball.” Why did it get that moniker? Well, you could hear it, but you couldn’t see it. Veale and that radio ball became mainstays in the Pirates’ rotation in the 1960s,

“The Bucs were said last month to be exploring the bullpen and corner outfield markets, and that appears to still be the case. Robert Murray of FanSided more specifically reports that Alex Verdugo is one name in whom the Pirates have interest,” Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors wrote.

As the rumor mill churns, the latest has the Pittsburgh Pirates interested in veteran free-agent outfielder Randal Grichuk. MLB Network insider Mark Feinsand was the first to break this news.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are exploring the MLB free-agent market, with a former New York Yankees outfielder in their sights to strengthen their roster. The Pittsburgh Pirates, in their ongoing quest to enhance their roster,