UNCREDITED/Associated Press
Former Baltimore Orioles minor league pitcher Steve Dalkowski, who served as the inspiration for the Nuke LaLoosh character in the 1988 film Bull Durham, died Saturday at the age of 80 because of pre-existing health conditions complicated by COVID-19, per Steve GardnerofUSA Today.
Family members said that he died in his hometown of New Britain, Connecticut, on Sunday.
Gardner provided the following scouting report on Dalkowski:
"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.