Dave Giusti

Palmball master Dave Giusti ranks among the best relievers in Pirate history. He began as a starter, leading Houston with 15 wins in 1966 and 186 strikeouts in 1968. After one disappointing season with the Cardinals (1969), he was obtained by Pittsburgh GM Joe L. Brown in a four-player deal. Moved to the bullpen, Giusti led the NL with nine relief wins in 1970, and was named NL Fireman of the Year in 1971 when his 30 saves led the league. He became the first NL pitcher to appear in every game of a four-game LCS (1971), and notched a record three saves. One of the first consistent relief aces, he had four more double-figure save years for Pittsburgh, and in 1974 set the since-broken NL lifetime record for saves with 110. He finished out his career with the A’s and Cubs in 1977, and retired with 145 saves.