Legendary Pirates Reliever Elroy Face Dies at 97

Face saved 3 games in the 1960 World Series to help the Pirates upset the Yankees.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Elroy Face, a longtime relief pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates and a key member of their 1960 World Series championship team, has died at the age of 97. Face was an All-Star reliever who saved three games in the 1960 World Series to help the Pirates pull off an upset over the heavily favored New York Yankees.

Why it matters

Face was a beloved figure in Pittsburgh sports history, playing for the Pirates for 17 seasons and helping the team win their first World Series title in 35 years in 1960. His performance in that series is remembered as one of the greatest relief pitching efforts in postseason history.

The details

Face appeared in 802 games over his 18-year MLB career, all but one of them with the Pirates. He led the National League in saves three times and made the All-Star team in 1959. In the 1960 World Series, Face came in to save Games 2, 3, and 6 to help the Pirates upset the heavily favored Yankees.

  • Elroy Face died on February 12, 2026 at the age of 97.
  • Face saved 3 games for the Pirates in the 1960 World Series.

The players

Elroy Face

A longtime relief pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who was a key member of their 1960 World Series championship team.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The professional baseball team that Face played for his entire 18-year MLB career.

New York Yankees

The team the Pirates upset in the 1960 World Series, for which Face played a crucial role as a relief pitcher.

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The takeaway

Face's legacy as a dominant relief pitcher and World Series hero will cement his place as one of the greatest players in Pirates history, and his passing marks the end of an era for the franchise and its fans.