Roy Face, the Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher who helped define the modern closer role as the "Baron of the Bullpen," died Feb. 12, 2026. He was 97.
Face played 16 seasons in the major leagues, spending nearly his entire career in Pittsburgh. Despite his small frame—standing 5-foot-7 and weighing 150 pounds—he controlled games with a sharp sidearm delivery and a deceptive forkball. This signature pitch allowed him to master hitters and helped create the specialized role of the relief pitcher in professional baseball.
His performance during the 1959 season set a standard that still stands in the record books. Face finished the year with an 18-1 record, including 17 straight wins to start the season, setting a major league record for winning percentage at .947. A year later, he played a vital part in the Pirates' 1960 World Series victory over the New York Yankees, becoming the first pitcher to record three saves in a single championship series.
Face finished his career with 193 saves and held the National League record in that category for twenty years. At the time of his retirement, he trailed only Hoyt Wilhelm and Cy Young for the most pitching appearances in baseball history. He still holds the National League record for career wins in relief with 96 victories. He is survived by his three children.