Pittsburgh Pirates Legendary Pitcher Elroy Face Dies at 97

Face was a 3-time MLB All-Star and World Series champion with the Pirates in 1960.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Elroy Face, a legendary right-handed pitcher who spent 15 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and helped the team win the 1960 World Series, has died at the age of 97. Face was a 3-time MLB All-Star and the Pirates' all-time leader in appearances, with 802 games pitched over his 16-year career.

Why it matters

Elroy Face was a pioneering relief pitcher who played a critical role in the Pirates' 1960 World Series championship team. His passing marks the end of an era for the Pirates organization and the loss of a beloved member of the team's history.

The details

Face recorded 104 wins and 193 saves over his career, which also included stints with the Detroit Tigers and Montreal Expos. He was nicknamed "The Baron of the Bullpen" and was inducted into the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame in 2023. In the 1959 season, Face set the MLB record for most relief wins in a single season with 18.

  • Elroy Face died on February 16, 2026.
  • Face was inducted into the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame in 2023.

The players

Elroy Face

A legendary right-handed pitcher who spent 15 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and helped the team win the 1960 World Series. He was a 3-time MLB All-Star and the Pirates' all-time leader in appearances with 802 games pitched.

Bob Nutting

The Chairman of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who mourned the passing of Elroy Face and praised him as a beloved member of the Pirates family and a pioneer of the modern relief pitcher.

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What they’re saying

“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. 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.”

— Bob Nutting, Pittsburgh Pirates Chairman (MLB.com)

The takeaway

Elroy Face's passing marks the end of an era for the Pittsburgh Pirates, as they mourn the loss of a legendary pitcher who played a pivotal role in the team's 1960 World Series championship and left an indelible mark on the organization's history.