The Pittsburgh Pirates home opener was April 7. Two Pirates stars during the 1950s were pitchers Bob Friend and Elroy Face. Friend’s best year was 1955 when he had the best Earned Run Average in the National League, while playing for the last place team. Face was the premier reliever in the Major Leagues in the late 1950s and early 1960s and was known for his fork ball. In 1959, he had an incredible record of 18-1 as a relief pitcher. From the end of 1958 until he finally lost a game in 1959, he won 22 games in a row. He also saved three games in the 1960 World Series.
Written by Paul McTighe, Jr., an attorney in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He has been a Pittsburgh Pirates fan since 1958. Paul is a graduate of North Allegheny Senior High School and the College of Law at the University of Tulsa. He can be reached at paulmctighe@sbcglobal.net.