“Considered by many to be the best relief pitcher in history, [Face] confronted all types of jams in his career,” wrote Edward Kiersh. “Relying mainly on a forkball, he squelched so many rallies in 1959, en route to his record winning percentage of .947, that manager Danny Murtaugh tagged him Sam Spade.” The shy, gutsy, 5’8″ righthander was twice drafted by Branch Rickey, first for the Dodgers, then, in 1952, for Pittsburgh. Face recorded 96 career relief wins (fifth all-time), 193 saves (sixth), and holds the ML mark for most relief wins in a season, 18 (17 consecutive for another record). He owns the NL career records for most games finished (574) and most games pitched for one club (802, for Pittsburgh). Face led the NL three times each in saves and relief losses, and twice in appearances. He saved three games of the 1960 World Series.
