R.I.P. - Nellie King

Nelson Joseph "Nellie" King, a former Pirates pitcher and broadcaster and Duquesne University sports information director and broadcaster, died today. His death was confirmed by Duquesne University athletic spokesman Dave Saba. He was 82. In recent years, Mr. King, who was born on March 15, 1928, battled colon cancer and pneumonia. Mr. King pitched for the Pirates from 1954-57, constructing a 7-5 record as he was used largely as a relief pitcher, playing alongside Pittsburgh greats Roberto Clemente, Dick Groat and Bill Mazeroski -- but that's not where he made his most indelible mark in baseball. It was in the broadcast booth where Mr. King is remembered most, first working for smaller stations in Latrobe, Kittanning and Greensburg from 1960-67, covering mainly high school sports. In 1967, his biggest break came, as Mr. King joined the three-man Pirates broadcast team alongside veterans Bob Prince and Jim Woods, and he announced Pirates games on radio and television until 1975. That position had opened when Don Hoak, a former Pirates player and Pittsburgher, moved from the broadcast booth to the dugout to take a position as a coach.

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