The Pittsburgh Pirates organization suffered a major loss over the weekend, as former All-Star pitcher and World Series champion Dave Giusti passed away on Sunday. He was 86.

Born and raised in New York, Giusti attended Syracuse University before embarking on a 15-year MLB career from 1962 to 1977. The right-handed pitcher played for five teams but primarily pitched for the Pirates and Houston Astros, where he spent seven seasons and six seasons, respectively.

After having success as a starting pitcher for the Astros over his first six seasons, Giusti became one of the best relievers in baseball after leaving Houston. He spent the 1969 campaign with the St. Louis Cardinals before being traded to Pittsburgh, where he remained through 1976.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Pirates pitcher Dave Giusti.

Dave spent seven of his 15 big league seasons with the Pirates and was an important member of the 1971 World Championship team as he led the NL in saves that year with 30.

After his playing… pic.twitter.com/SwtkJ1zdaZ

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) January 12, 2026

Giusti enjoyed his best years with the Pirates, receiving NL Cy Young votes three times, NL MVP votes twice, and making his lone NL All-Star team in 1973. He was instrumental in helping Pittsburgh win the 1971 World Series, posting a 2.93 ERA and leading the NL with 30 saves during the regular season before adding three saves and 10 2/3 scoreless frames during the playoffs, earning NL Reliever of the Year honors from The Sporting News for his efforts.

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One of the best relievers of his era, Giusti led MLB in saves from 1970 to 1975. He was traded after dropping off in 1976 and pitched for the Oakland A’s and Chicago Cubs in 1977 before calling it a career. He retired with exactly 100 career wins, 145 saves and a 3.60 ERA across more than 1,700 innings.

Giusti settled near Pittsburgh after his playing days and remained close to the Pirates organization. While it’s been half a century since he played for them, he still ranks eighth in franchise history in games pitched and fourth in saves.

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