Pittsburgh Pirates World Series Champion and 3-Time All-Star Elroy Face Dies at 97

Face was a pioneering relief pitcher who spent 15 seasons with the Pirates and helped the team win the 1960 World Series.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Elroy Face, a right-handed pitcher who spent 15 seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Pittsburgh Pirates, has died at the age of 97. Face was a three-time All-Star and a key member of the Pirates' 1960 World Series championship team, earning the nickname "The Baron of the Bullpen" for his pioneering work as a late-inning reliever.

Why it matters

Face's passing marks the end of an era for the Pirates franchise, as he was one of the last remaining links to the team's storied 1960 World Series victory. His career as a relief pitcher helped pave the way for the modern bullpen strategy in baseball, and his longevity and success with the Pirates made him a beloved figure in the city.

The details

During his 16-year MLB career from 1953 to 1969, Face recorded 191 saves and a 3.48 ERA in 848 games pitched, including 574 games finished. He spent the first 14-plus seasons of his career with the Pirates, where he remains the franchise leader in games pitched (802) and saves (188). Face was a three-time All-Star and played a crucial role in the Pirates' 1960 World Series championship, leading the league in appearances and recording three saves against the New York Yankees.

  • Elroy Face died on February 13, 2026 at the age of 97.
  • Face was inducted into the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame in 2023.

The players

Elroy Face

A right-handed pitcher who spent 15 seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Face was a three-time All-Star, a member of the Pirates' 1960 World Series championship team, and is considered a pioneer of the modern relief pitcher role.

Bob Nutting

The chairman of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who expressed his condolences on the passing of Elroy Face and noted that the team was honored to induct him into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2023.

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The takeaway

Elroy Face's passing marks the end of an era for the Pittsburgh Pirates, as he was one of the last remaining links to the team's storied 1960 World Series championship. Face's pioneering work as a late-inning relief pitcher helped shape the modern bullpen strategy in baseball, and his success and longevity with the Pirates made him a beloved figure in the city. His induction into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2023 was a fitting tribute to his legacy.