Three-Time MLB All-Star and World Series Champ Dies at 97

Elroy Face, a three-time MLB All-Star and a cornerstone of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ glory years, has died at 97, the team announced on X.

A New York native, Face spent 15 of his 16 major league seasons with the Pirates. He also wore the uniforms of the Detroit Tigers and the Montreal Expos.

Known as The Baron of the Bullpen, he helped shape the modern relief pitcher. Face left an enduring imprint on Pirates history with a career full of record-setting moments and championship memories.

Career highlights with the Pirates

Face’s time in Pittsburgh stands out for his longevity and impact in late-inning situations. He had a knack for getting outs when the pressure was highest, and that made him a fixture on one of baseball’s most storied franchises.

• Franchise-record 802 games pitched for Pittsburgh. That number really shows his reliability in the bullpen over more than a decade.
• 104 career wins and 193 saves. Those stats reflect not only how long he played, but how effective he was at saving games and closing out wins.
• Three-time All-Star from 1959 to 1961. He was clearly one of the premier relievers of his era.
• 1959 season stands out as a breakout year. He finished 18–1 with a 2.70 ERA, a relief-wins record that still shines in the annals of the game.
• Nicknamed The Baron of the Bullpen. That moniker really captured how he dominated late-inning outs and helped stabilize the Pirates’ pitching staff.

The 1960 World Series run and a changing game

Face’s best-known era lined up with the Pirates’ magical 1960 season, when Pittsburgh captured its first World Series title in a generation. His contributions during that run highlighted a shift in baseball’s strategy — teams started leaning more on specialized, high-leverage relief pitching, and Face was right at the heart of that change.

• In the Pirates’ 1960 championship run, Face led the league in appearances. Managers trusted him to bridge innings and protect late leads, which says a lot about his role.
• During that World Series, he recorded three saves against the New York Yankees. That was a huge testament to his value in pivotal moments against baseball’s most storied opponent.

Legacy, recognition, and a pioneer’s footprint

Face’s influence reached far beyond his numbers. He’s remembered as a pioneer who helped define the modern relief pitcher—steady, reliable, and a big part of the Pirates’ pitching depth during a golden era.

His impact finally got formal recognition when the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame inducted him in 2023. That came long after his playing days, which honestly just shows how much he meant to the franchise.

Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting called Face a trailblazer who shaped the bullpen-focused approach that teams now copy all over baseball. Nutting’s words highlight how Face’s impact wasn’t just about stats or a single season—it changed how teams handle relief pitching today.

Now, as the Pirates say goodbye to a cherished name from their championship past, Elroy Face’s legacy sticks around in the numbers and those unforgettable, nerve-wracking saves. You can still feel his influence every time a reliever jogs in for the ninth inning—his footprint is everywhere in the way teams use their bullpens now.

 
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