BRADENTON, Fla., Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Nelson "Nellie" Briles, who helped pitch Pittsburgh and St. Louis to World Series titles, died in Florida at the age of 61, it was reported Monday.
Briles, a broadcaster and front-office executive after his playing days, died Sunday while golfing at a Pirates Alumni Association reunion, the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette reported.
"The Pirates family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our colleague and friend Nellie Briles," Pirates' CEO Kevin McClatchy said.
Briles, a right-hander, pitched for the Pirates for three seasons (1971-73).
One of his most memorable performances was a two-hit shutout against the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth game of the '71 series. He once said, "That day, the good Lord smiled on me."
He also tossed a complete game for the Cardinals in Game 3 of their 1967 series win.
Briles also pitched for the Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers and the Orioles in his 14-year career. His overall record was 129-112.
