A Fond Farewell for Two Pirate Legends

Honoring Bill Mazeroski and Elroy Face

By Paula Green

Spring training is underway, with Pirate players in Bradenton, Florida, preparing for another baseball season. Meanwhile, back home in Pittsburgh, people are mourning the recent losses of two Pirates legends, Elroy Face and Bill Mazeroski.

They were more than teammates—they were close friends. In a remarkable coincidence, they passed away just eight days apart. Mazeroski died at 89 on February 20, which would have been Face’s 98th birthday.

Mazeroski, often called Maz, is best remembered for hitting one of baseball’s greatest home runs: a Game Seven walk-off in the 1960 World Series against the New York Yankees at Forbes Field. He remains the only Major League player to achieve this incredible feat. While that home run made him famous, he was also a top-notch defender.

Maz was known for his fast, smooth throws to first base, earning the nickname "No Hands" because he made turning double plays look easy. He holds the MLB record for most double plays by a second baseman (1,706) and the most in a single season (161 in 1966). Maz played in ten All-Star games, won eight Gold Gloves, and helped the Pirates win two World Series titles (1960 and 1971). Pirates’ broadcaster Bob Prince called him "The Glove" for his steady Gold Glove performances.

After retiring as a player, Mazeroski coached the Pirates and the Seattle Mariners. In 1987, the Pirates retired his number 9 jersey. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.

In September 2010, a statue of Mazeroski was unveiled outside of PNC Park. It captures him celebrating his famous home run, arms stretched out and ball cap in hand. In 2022, Mazeroski was named an inaugural member of the Pirates Hall of Fame.

While Mazeroski mastered second base, Elroy Face was the Pirates’ ace relief pitcher, earning the nickname “The Baron of the Bullpen.” Face played 15 remarkable seasons with the Buccos, from 1953 to 1968.

Face holds the Pirates' franchise records for most appearances (802) and saves (188), as well as the National League record for most relief wins (96). His 1959 season was unforgettable; he finished 18-1 with a .947 winning percentage, setting records for best winning percentage and most relief wins in a single season.

In the 1960 World Series, Face played a key role in helping the Buccos win the championship. He saved the first three Pirates' victories before they clinched the series in Game Seven. He was a three-time All-Star from 1959 to 1961.

After his time with the Pirates, Face had a brief stint with the Detroit Tigers in 1968, making just two scoreless appearances. He was released and then signed as a free agent with the Montreal Expos in April 1969. He was inducted into the MLB Baseball Hall of Fame in 2023.

After retiring, Face worked as a carpenter and later served as a foreman at Mayview State Hospital. He lived in North Versailles and passed away on February 12 at the age of 97.

Bucco fans honor these Pirate legends, Bill Mazeroski and Elroy Face. Thank you for all the years of baseball excitement you brought to Pittsburgh. May you rest in peace.

Sources: www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47994306/mazeroski-known-1960-world-series-walk-homer-dies-89, baseballhall.org/discover/remembering-bill-mazeroski, www.mlb.com/news/elroy-face-dies-at-97