Former Pirates Pitcher Al McBean Dies in Native Virgin Islands

Photographer-turned-pitcher Al McBean has died. The former Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander was 85.

McBean died in his native Virgin Islands. No case of death was given.

McBean pitched for the Pirates from 1961-68 then again in 1970. He also spent time with the San Diego Padres (1969) and Los Angeles Dodgers (1969-70), finishing with a 67-50 record, 63 saves and a 3.13 ERA in 409 games, including 76 starts, over 10 seasons.

McBean finished in the top 10 in the National League in games pitched for three straight seasons from 1963-65.

The Pirates signed McBean out of a tryout camp in St. Thomas in 1957. He went to the camp to take photographs for a local newspaper and was convinced by some friends to take part in the tryout in front of scouts.