Hoyt Wilhelm generally receives credit for being the game's first great reliever. History may eventually show that Wilhelm was not the only prototype for relievers, asRoy Facedeserves to be considered in that discussion too.
Roy Face was the first pitcher to record twenty saves in a season (1958). He would lead the senior circuit in that category three times. Roy Face still holds the record for the highest winning percentage in a season with a whopping .947 (18 wins to 1 loss in 1959). Face used his forkball to get Pirate teams out of jam after jam and racked up multiple wins, and saves all in a relieving role.
Face was easily the top relief pitcher for over a decade, helping Pittsburgh win the 1960 World Series and finishing 547 Games with 186 Saves as a Pirate. He might be one of the most influential hurlers ever.
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