Former Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Elroy Face acknowledges the crowd during a ceremony for players that are part of the team’s Hall of Fame class before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Elroy Face, a 1960 World Series champion, died at the age of 97. He was eight days shy of his 98th birthday.
“It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Pirates Hall of Famer Elroy Face, a beloved member of the Pirates family,” said Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting. “I was fortunate to get to know Elroy personally, and I will always be proud that we had the chance to honor him with his induction into the Pirates Hall of Fame.
“Elroy was a pioneer of the modern relief pitcher — the ‘Baron of the Bullpen’ — and he played a critical role in our 1960 World Series championship, leading the league in appearances and recording three saves against the Yankees. Our thoughts are with his three children — Michelle, Valerie and Elroy Jr. — and his sister Jacqueline.”
Face, who pitched for the Pirates for 15 seasons from 1953-68, is the franchise’s all-time leader in appearances (802). Face led the league in saves three times and led baseball with a .947 winning percentage in 1959 when he went 18-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 57 appearances. He was an All-Star each year from 1959-61.
The following season, Face helped lead the Pirates to their third World Series title when he recorded 24 saves, 10 wins and had a 2.90 ERA across an MLB-leading 68 games. He made four appearances against the New York Yankees in the Fall Classic.
In addition to the Pirates, Face made two appearances with the Detroit Tigers in 1968 and concluded his career with the Montreal Expos in 1969.
Face holds the National League record for most games won in relief (96). The Pirates inducted him into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2023.
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