What happened: ElRoy Face, known for his skillful forkball and as one of baseball's first specialist closers, has died at age 97.
Why it matters:
- Face helped define the closer role in Major League Baseball, influencing pitching strategies.
- His legacy impacts Pirates fans and baseball historians recognising early bullpen specialisation.
MNN Take: ElRoy Face's career highlighted how pitchers can succeed through technique rather than power, shaping bullpen use in baseball.
Sources: NYTimes US