In 2022, the Pirates unveiled the team’s inaugural Hall of Fame class, consisting of 19 of the greatest figures in the storied history of the organization.
On Thursday, the 2023 class was announced.
The group of four features beloved players, three of which were members of the 1960 World Series champions.
Elroy Face, Bob Friend, Dick Groat and Kent Tekulve will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame the year during a ceremony prior to a game against the Chicago Cubs on August 26.
Below are the resumés for the four inductees:
Elroy Face – Known as the pioneer of modern day relief pitching...Spent 15 seasons pitching for the Pirates and is the team’s all-time leader in appearances (802)...Would be the Pirates all-time saves leader (188) if saves were official when he pitched (prior to 1969)...Holds the National League record for most games won in relief (96) and the Major League record for most relief wins in one season (18)...A three-time All-Star and a member
of the 1960 World Series Champion Pirates...Led MLB in appearances (68) in 1956 and won 100 games in his career with the Pirates.
Bob Friend – Is the all-time Pirates leader in starts (477), innings pitched (3481.0) and strikeouts (1682)...Also ranks third all-time among Pirates pitchers in games (568), fourth in wins (191) and third in shutouts (35)...Led the N.L. in ERA in 1955 (2.83) and shared the Major League lead in wins in 1958 (22)...Led MLB in innings pitched in back-to-back seasons (1956-57) and led MLB in starts in three consecutive seasons (1956-58)...Was a three-time All-Star and a member of the 1960 World Series Champion Pirates.
Dick Groat – The National League Most Valuable Player in 1960 who led the league in batting (.325) for the World Champion Pirates that season...A three-time All-Star with the Pirates...A smooth-fielding shortstop who led the National League in double plays a record five times, putouts four times and assists twice...Ranks third on the Pirates all-time list for games played at shortstop (1242)...Compiled a .290 average in his nine years with the Pirates and produced the sixth-highest batting average (.303) over a four-year period from 1957-60, trailing only Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Joe Cunningham, Stan Musial and Orlando Cepeda.
Kent Tekulve – Spent 12 of his 16 Major League seasons pitching with the Pirates between 1974-1985...Was a member of the 1979 World Series Champion Pirates and an All-Star in 1980...Ranks first in National League history in innings pitched by a relief pitcher (1436.2) and second in appearances (1050)...Led MLB in appearances three times as a Pirate and shares the team record for most games pitched in one season (94 in 1979)...Ranks first all-time in saves by a Pirates pitcher since 1969 (158) and second all-time among Pirates pitchers in games (722)...His 94 wins as a relief pitcher rank second in N.L. history behind Elroy Face (96).