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Mark Twain once said, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”

Standing at just 5’8″ tall, El Roy Face had plenty of fight.

According to SABR, only eight hurlers Face’s height or smaller have debuted since WWII and appeared in at least 100 big league games. Despite his diminutive build, the 155-pound forkballer was one of baseball’s most durable and effective relievers.

Face broke into the bigs in 1953, well before the era of the modern closer. In his 41 appearances, he both started and closed 13 contests. By his third season, Face led the entire major leagues in games pitched. That year of 1956, he tied the big league mark by appearing in nine straight games.

Face pitched in at least 55 games each season from 1956 to 1964. The streak was broken when knee surgery put him on the disabled list for the only time in his 16-year career.

After his lone start of the 1957, the rest of Face’s appearances came out of the pen. Reliably effective in the role, Face posted double-digit save totals in ten of twelve seasons from ’57-’68.

The league leader in saves three times and appearances twice, Face was named to three straight All Star teams starting in 1959. That year he won 18 of 19 decisions. The .947 winning percentage remains the highest single-season mark in big league history for pitchers with at least 15 decisions.

From May 31st, 1958 through September 10, 1959, Face reeled off 23 victories without a loss. The ’58 campaign included a league-leading 20-save season.

In his final year in the big leagues Face became the fourth pitcher in big league history to notch at least 100 wins and 100 saves.

Face set many records during his time on the hill. From 1967 until 1986, Face held the NL mark for career appearances. The league’s career save record was his from 1962-1982. Face’s 96 wins in relief is still the most in the history of the Senior Circuit.

Today more than a half-century after leaving the hang, Face holds the Pirates team record for games and saves.

Shown here a government postcard signed by Face in 1953, his first big league season.

 

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The previous image shows an autograph of El Roy Face on a government postcard. Here is the back of that card.

Notice the Pittsburgh postmark from July 2, 1953. Face was just 20 games into his big league career at the time and had yet to record his first save.

The Pirates hurler enjoyed corresponding through the mail with fans. Though his signature is by no means rare, examples from early in his playing days remain highly desirable.

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Shown here is a 1959 baseball card titled, “Buc Hill Aces”. It features Ron Kline, Bob Friend, Vern Law, and El Roy Face. All four men have autographed this Topps creation.

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Roy Face had a long and illustrious Major League career that lasted from 1953-1969. He was a reliever and later a closer in an era when few existed.

In his first four seasons 183 of his 210 games came in relief. After 1957 the rest of his 848 career appearances came out of the bullpen.

Face’s first campaign used exclusively as a reliever was outstanding. His 40 games finished led the NL while his 20 saves were the most in all the major leagues. At season’s end he received votes in MVP balloting.

In 1959 he was even better. Face went 18-1. His .947 winning percentage remains the highest single season mark in big league history.

Face became the first pitcher in the major leagues to notch two 20-save campaigns in 1960. He also helped the Pirates win the NL pennant.

Pittsburgh came into the 1960 Fall Classic against the Yankees as heavy underdogs. From 1949-60 New York won 10 pennants and 7 World Series titles. Though the Pirates were outscored 55-27, they vanquished the mighty Yankees in a seven-game thriller. Face saved the first three Pittsburgh victories before Bill Mazeroski ended the Series with his Game 7 walk-off home run.

In the collection is this autographed Topps baseball card commemorating Face’s save in Game 5 of the 1960 World Series.

Harvey Haddix started the contest, allowing two runs on five hits through 6 1/3 innings. Face came on in the 7th with one out and the tying runs on base in a 4-2 game.

After Gil McDougald grounded out, AL MVP Roger Maris came up representing the go-ahead run. Face promptly struck him out to extinguish the rally. He went the rest of the way to record the 8-out save, his third of the Series.

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Roy Face was a pioneering reliever as one of baseball’s first pitchers deployed exclusively as a closer. Owner of the highest single-season winning percentage in MLB history, Face was also the first man to record two 20-save seasons.

His peak came from 1958-1962 when he went 47-30 with 99 saves, a 2.84 ERA and 137 ERA+. During that time Face earned MVP consideration three times.

Face became the majors’ all-time save leader in 1962 and held the mark until Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm passed him in 1964. The Pirates hurler also held the record for games finished from 1961-1964. In 1969 the six-time All Star became just the fourth man to record at least 100 victories and 100 saves.

At the time of his retirement only Hall of Famers Wilhelm and Cy Young pitched in more big league contests. More than a half-century after throwing his final pitch for the Pirates Face remains the franchise leader in career games and saves.

In 1999 Face and Hall of Fame pitcher Steve Carlton were inducted into the Pitchers’ Wall of Great Achievement at the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame.

Some say Face’s performance and his role in changing the way pitchers are deployed merits a plaque in Cooperstown.

In the collection is this 1961 Topps card titled, “Buc Hill Aces”. It features the signatures of Face and 1960 Cy Young Award winner Vern Law.

The 1960 season was one to remember. Both men represented the Pirates in the season’s two All Star Games. Law got the win in the year’s first Mid Summer Classics then got the save in the second. For his part Face put up 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

In the World Series the pair combined for two wins and three saves to help crown the Pirates champions of baseball.

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In the conversation with Kent Tekulve as the greatest Bucco reliever ever, Roy Face is the franchise leader in games and saves. Tekulve is second in both categories.

In 1960 Face established the World Series record by recording three saves. Tekulve equaled the feat for the 1979 “We are Family” championship Pittsburgh club. Though their shared mark has since been broken the Yankees John Wetteland, it remains the National League standard.

As a Bucco Tekulve topped all NL pitchers in games finished three times. From 1976-1984 he averaged more than 50 games finished per season and had a 142 ERA+.

The Pittsburgh franchise recognized the Pirate greatness of Face and Tekulve by inducting him into their team Hall of Fame in 2023. The August 23rd ceremony also enshrined Bob Friend, and Dick Groat.

Shown above is a Pirates payroll check made out to Tekulve for the amount of $2,365.93. Dated September 29, 1978, the check is drawn on the Pittsburgh Athletic Company account.