The Pittsburgh Pirates lost a legend this week. Elroy Face, the pioneering reliever known as the “Baron of the Bullpen,” has passed away at the age of 97. A cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s pitching staff for nearly two decades, Face left behind a legacy that helped shape the modern relief role - and a record book that still bears his name.
Pirates chairman Bob Nutting reflected on Face’s impact, calling him “a beloved member of the Pirates family” and a “pioneer of the modern relief pitcher.” Face played a critical role in Pittsburgh’s 1960 World Series title, leading the league in appearances that year and notching three saves against a Yankees lineup stacked with legends like Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Whitey Ford.
Born in upstate New York, Face’s pro career began in the Phillies organization back in 1949. Though he stood just 5-foot-8, the right-hander made a name for himself with a sidearm delivery and a devastating forkball.
He caught the eye of Hall of Fame executive Branch Rickey, who acquired him twice - first with the Dodgers, then again when Rickey took over the Pirates’ front office. By the early 1950s, Face was in Pittsburgh to stay.
His early years in the majors weren’t smooth. After struggling as a rookie, Face was sent back to Double-A in 1954.
But when he returned in 1955, he began to carve out a role in the bullpen - and by 1956, he was leading the majors with 68 appearances, throwing 135 1/3 innings with a 3.52 ERA. This was long before teams had defined closers, but Face was already handling the pressure-packed innings at the end of games.
Between 1958 and 1962, he led the National League in games finished four times.
The save didn’t become an official stat until 1969, but Face’s dominance wasn’t lost on anyone. He was retroactively credited with leading the NL in saves three times, including a league-best 20 in 1958 and 28 in 1962.
That ’62 season was especially sharp - 91 innings with a 1.88 ERA. He posted sub-3.00 ERAs in four different seasons during that stretch, consistently delivering when it mattered most.
His peers and the league took notice. Face was named to the All-Star team every year from 1959 to 1961 - and because Major League Baseball briefly held two All-Star Games per season, he was technically selected six times. He also appeared on MVP ballots in each season from 1958 through 1960 - a testament to how valuable he was in an era when relievers rarely got that kind of recognition.
And then there was 1960 - the year that forever cemented Face’s place in baseball history. He threw nearly 115 innings that season, finishing 61 games for a Pirates team that went 95-59-1 and won the National League pennant.
In the World Series against the powerhouse Yankees, Face saved Games 1, 4, and 5, showcasing his ability to shut the door in the biggest moments. He also pitched three crucial innings in Game 7, though he surrendered a go-ahead homer to Yogi Berra.
But the Pirates battled back, and Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off blast in the ninth sealed the championship - the only Game 7 walk-off homer in World Series history.
That postseason would be Face’s only trip to October, but he remained a mainstay in Pittsburgh’s bullpen throughout the 1960s. Even into his 30s, he continued to deliver sub-3.00 ERA seasons. He eventually wrapped up his career with brief stints in Detroit and Montreal, adding five more saves in his final season with the Expos.
To this day, Face holds several all-time pitching records for the Pirates: most appearances (802), most games finished (547), and most saves (186). He pitched close to 1,400 innings in a Pirates uniform, posting a 3.48 ERA and racking up 877 strikeouts. He notched over 100 career wins - including a remarkable 18-1 record in 1959, all out of the bullpen - and finished just shy of 200 saves overall.
Three years ago, the Pirates honored Face with induction into their Hall of Fame. It was a fitting tribute to a player who helped define what it means to be a closer before the term even existed.
Elroy Face wasn’t just ahead of his time - he helped create the time. His impact on the game is still felt today, and his name will continue to echo through the history of the Pirates and Major League Baseball. Our thoughts are with his children - Michelle, Valerie, and Elroy Jr. - and his sister Jacqueline during this time.