Elroy Face was a relief pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and other teams between 1952 and 1967. While he never achieved superstar status, Face had a long and productive MLB career that saw him named to multiple All-Star teams. Face’s success on the field led to his likeness appearing on several baseball cards over the years, making him a memorable figure for collectors even decades after his retirement.
Face was signed by the Pirates as an amateur free agent in 1952 out of Southeast Missouri State University. He made his MLB debut that season and quickly proved himself as a dependable reliever out of the bullpen. In his rookie year, Face posted a solid 2.73 ERA over 49.2 innings pitched. His early success with the Pirates landed him in his first baseball card in 1953.
Face’s 1953 Topps card was issued as part of Topps’ second complete baseball card set. The simple vertical design saw Face’s picture on the left with stats and details on the right. It highlighted his rookie accomplishments and positioned him as an up-and-coming arm in the Pirates bullpen. While not one of the set’s more valuable commons today due to a high print run, the 1953 Topps Face card was the start of chronicling his MLB career on cardboard.
Face built on his rookie numbers over the next few seasons, cementing his role as the Pirates’ go-to reliever. He led the National League with 59 appearances in 1955 and was named an All-Star for the first time. That breakout season was commemorated with a card in the 1956 Topps set. The horizontal design gave more real estate to showcase Face’s 1.65 ERA, which was just one of the many stellar stats he put up that year.
In 1957, Face reached new heights by winning the NL Save title with 15, at the time an impressive total. He received Topps cards in 1957 and 1958 focusing on his dominance out of the bullpen. By this point, Face had become a household name for Pirates fans and collectors alike due to the publicity of his baseball cards each year. Though the designs and production values evolved little, Face’s cards served as a valuable record of his progression as a top reliever.
The late 1950s saw Face hit his statistical peak. In 1959, he led the majors with an incredible 41 saves and posted a microscopic 1.41 ERA. That elite season was featured on his 1959 Topps card. He made his second and last All-Star team that year in recognition of his dominance. Face had truly become the standard for relief excellence during a time when the role was still developing in modern form.
Injuries limited Face’s effectiveness over the next few seasons, but he remained with the Pirates until being traded to the Reds midway through the 1962 season. He enjoyed a late-career resurgence with Cincinnati in 1963, notching 27 saves with a solid 2.75 ERA. Topps recognized Face’s continued contributions with a card in their 1963 set, marking his first appearance representing a team other than the Pirates.
Face played one final season in 1964 before retiring. He appeared on his last regular Topps card that year highlighting his career achievements up to that point. In total, Face was featured in nine different Topps sets from 1953-1964, providing collectors a visual timeline of his 12-year MLB tenure. He finished his career with a 3.24 ERA and 150 saves, both excellent numbers for a reliever in the era before specialized bullpen roles.
While he hung up his cleats in the mid-1960s, Elroy Face’s legacy on the diamond lived on through his baseball cards. As the saves record holder of his time and one of the early innovators of the relief pitcher position, Face made a big impact during his playing days. His consistent card appearances in the 1950s and 60s Topps sets helped cement his place in sports card history as well. Even decades later, Face’s cards remain popular with collectors seeking pieces of baseball from his playing era.
In the 1990s, when interest in vintage cards boomed, Face started showing up in more modern releases too. He was included in the 1990 Topps Baseball Immortals insert set paying tribute to all-time greats. Face even received an autograph card in 1997 Upper Deck’s Sweet Spot Signature Series product, allowing collectors the chance to own a signed item from the legendary reliever.
While Elroy Face may not be a household name today like some other stars of his playing days, his contributions to the game – particularly as a pioneer of the relief pitcher role – should not be forgotten. And thanks to his frequent depictions on vintage baseball cards, Face’s likeness and statistics continue to circulate among collectors ensuring his legacy remains known. From his rookie season in 1953 all the way through modern tribute releases, Elroy Face’s career arc has been well documented on cardboard.
