Elroy Face, the first great Pirates relief pitcher, passed away yesterday. He would have celebrated his 98th birthday next Friday.
Known as “The Baron of the Bullpen”, Face played sixteen years in the major leagues, more than fourteen of them for the Pirates. He was a three-time All-Star who in 1959 was 18-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 57 appearances. He is the Pirates’ all-time leader in appearances (802) and saves (188) and he holds the National League record for wins in relief (96). In the 1960 World Series, Face became the first reliever to earn three saves, although saves did not become an official statistic until 1969, the year he retired.
Face was well-known in Indiana, a frequent visitor to town to visit his sister Jackie, and once owning the Elroy Face Motel, the former Lake Margus Lodge off Route 422 in Cherryhill Township. The property eventually was sold to Reverand George Hnatko and became the Eastern Orthodox Foundation. In October of 2024, the original building was destroyed in an arson fire.
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