Elroy Face Passes Away at 97
Elroy Face, a renowned reliever for the Pittsburgh Pirates who played a pivotal role in their unexpected victory over the New York Yankees during the 1960 World Series, has passed away at the age of 97. The Pirates confirmed his death through a statement released on Thursday, following notification from his son, Elroy Jr. Face died at a senior living facility in North Versailles, Pennsylvania, earlier in the day, although no specific details regarding the cause of his passing have been shared.
Legacy and Contributions
Just days before reaching what would have been his 98th birthday, Face is being remembered fondly by the Pirates organization, with team chairman Bob Nutting acknowledging his legacy as a hallmark member of the franchise. Nutting referred to Face as the “Baron of the Bullpen,” highlighting his innovation as a modern relief pitcher and his essential contributions to the team’s 1960 championship run.
Career Highlights
Throughout his 16-year career, which spanned from 1953 to 1969, Face was selected to six All-Star games. Over his time in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Pirates but also with the Detroit Tigers and Montreal Expos, he racked up a record of 104 wins and 95 losses, coupled with a 3.48 earned run average (ERA). Notably, he established the National League record for relief wins with 96 and holds the major league record for the most relief victories in a single season, finishing 1959 with an impressive 18-1 record and a 2.70 ERA.
In 1960, Face led the National League in both the number of appearances (68) and games finished (61). During the iconic World Series that year, where the Pirates triumphed over baseball legends like Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra, Face made significant contributions by closing out victories in Games 1, 4, and 5, despite finishing the series with a 5.23 ERA over 10.1 innings pitched.
Following his retirement, Face was honored by being inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2023 and holds the franchise record for career games pitched with 802. Had saves been an official statistic earlier, Face would have claimed a franchise record of 188 as well.
Personal Life
Born on February 20, 1928, in Stephentown, New York, Elroy Face leaves behind three children—Michelle, Valerie, and Elroy Jr.—along with his sister Jacqueline. His legacy as a pioneer in the bullpen will continue to be celebrated by baseball fans and the Pittsburgh Pirates community alike.
