The 1971 season turned to be one of the most successful in team history as the Pirates won the National League Eastern Division. Veale had a 6-0 win-loss record in 37 appearances out the bullpen. Although his earned run average was a very high 6.99, he pitched strongly in September as the Pirates made their push for the division title. On September 1, 1971, the Pirates became the first major league team to start a lineup of all minorities. Veale entered the game in the third inning in relief of starter Dock Ellis. The Pirates then defeated the San Francisco Giants three games to one in the 1971 National League Championship Series to face the Baltimore Orioles in the 1971 World Series. In the only postseason appearance of his career, he faced five batters, allowing two inherited runners to score on two walks and one hit as the Orioles won 11-3 in Game 2. The Pirates would go on to win the World Series in seven games.