PITTSBURGH, PA —A Pirates legend has passed away.
The team announced late Thursday that Elroy Face, who spent 15 years with the Pirates and was instrumental in the Bucs winning the 1960 World Series, has died. He was 97.
“It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Pirates Hall of Famer Elroy Face, a beloved member of the Pirates family,” owner Bob Nutting said in a statement.
The Pittsburgh Pirates sadly extend the news of the passing of Elroy Face. The right handed pitcher spent 15 seasons with the Bucs and is the organization’s all time leader in appearances. pic.twitter.com/d6E5tvexn7
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) February 12, 2026
“I was fortunate to get to know Elroy personally, and I will always be proud that we had the chance to honor him with his induction into the Pirates Hall of Fame. Elroy was a pioneer of the modern relief pitcher — the ‘Baron of the Bullpen’ — and he played a critical role in our 1960 World Series championship, leading the league in appearances and recording three saves against the Yankees. “
Face indeed played a key role in the 1960 World Series that was won by the most famous play in baseball history: Bill Mazeroski’s series clinching win with a home run in the ninth inning of the seventh and deciding game. Face got the save in each of the Bucs’ first three wins and pitched the sixth through the eighth innings of Game 7.