The baseball world has lost a legend. Elroy Face, the trailblazing reliever who helped the Pittsburgh Pirates stun the New York Yankees in the 1960 World Series, has passed away at 97. But here’s where it gets even more remarkable: Face wasn’t just a reliever—he was the reliever, a pioneer who redefined the role long before the term “closer” became mainstream. Dubbed the ‘Baron of the Bullpen,’ Face’s impact on the game is undeniable, yet his story remains one of baseball’s most underappreciated narratives.
Face’s heroics in the 1960 World Series are the stuff of legend. With the Pirates cast as underdogs against the powerhouse Yankees, Face saved three crucial games, setting the stage for Bill Mazeroski’s iconic walk-off home run in Game 7. And this is the part most people miss: Face’s 1959 season was even more astonishing, when he went 18-1 with a 2.70 ERA—a record for relief wins in a single season that still stands today. Standing at just 5-foot-8, Face proved that size doesn’t dictate greatness.
Over 16 major league seasons, Face compiled a 104-95 record with a 3.48 ERA, appearing in 848 games—802 of them with the Pirates, a franchise record. He was a six-time All-Star and holds the National League record for relief wins with 96. Yet, despite his dominance, saves weren’t even an official statistic until 1969. If they had been, Face would hold the Pirates’ franchise record with 188 saves—a testament to his consistency and reliability.
Born on February 20, 1928, in Stephentown, New York, Face’s journey to baseball immortality began humbly. His death, just eight days shy of his 98th birthday, was confirmed by his son, Elroy Jr., who informed the Pirates organization. No cause of death was provided, but his legacy is crystal clear. ‘Elroy was a pioneer of the modern relief pitcher,’ said Pirates chairman Bob Nutting. ‘He played a critical role in our 1960 World Series championship.’
But here’s the controversial part: While Face is celebrated as a Hall of Famer by the Pirates, he’s yet to be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Is this an oversight? Or is the role of the reliever still undervalued in baseball’s highest honors? Weigh in below—does Elroy Face deserve a spot in Cooperstown?
Face is survived by his three children, Michelle, Valerie, and Elroy Jr., and his sister Jacqueline. His impact on the game, however, will outlive us all. Rest in peace to a true baseball pioneer.
