Elroy Face, the Pirates' All-Star reliever key contributor in their 1960 World Series win, dead at 97

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

Elroy Face, an All-Star reliever who played a key role in the Pittsburgh Pirates World Series victory over the New York Yankees in 1960, has died at 97, the team announced Thursday.

Face was eight days away from his 98th birthday. Team historian Jim Trdinich said the club was contacted by Face’s son, Elroy Jr., who told the team that Face died earlier in the day at an independent senior living facility outside Pittsburgh in North Versailles, Pennsylvania. No cause of death was provided.

"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," Pirates team Chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Elroy Face acknowledges the crowd after being inducted into the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame Class of 2023 before the game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 26, 2023. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)

"Elroy was a pioneer of the modern relief pitcher — the ‘Baron of the Bullpen’ — and he played a critical role in our 1960 World Series championship."

In his 16-year career, Face appeared in 848 games and had a record of 104-95 with a 3.48 ERA. He started just 27 of his appearances and racked up 191 career saves – although saves didn’t become an official statistic until 1969.

In 1959, Face went 18-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 10 saves. That was the first of three consecutive seasons that he was named to the All-Star team. He led the National League in saves three times in his career.

RED SOX PLAYER THREATENED TO SHOOT AND KILL TEAMMATES DURING 2018 CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON, PLAYER