'It's really an honor': Pirates induct 4 into their Hall of Fame

PITTSBURGH -- The four newest inductees into the Pirates’ Hall of Fame all have something very important in common: They won World Series rings with the franchise.

Right-hander Bob Friend, reliever Elroy Face and shortstop Dick Groat were mainstays on the 1960 World Series championship team that upset the New York Yankees. Closer Kent Tekulve got the final out of the 1979 World Series, when the Pirates beat the Baltimore Orioles in seven games in what has turned out to be Pittsburgh’s most recent appearance in the Fall Classic.

All were honored Saturday in a ceremony at PNC Park as part of the franchise’s second Hall of Fame class.

In between those two titles, the Pirates also won the World Series in 1971.

“That has to be the best era in the history of Pirate baseball of success on the field,” Tekulve said. “It’s an honor to be here to represent them, not only because of how they played individually but how they played as a team.”

While Tekulve was not teammates with Friend, Face and Groat, he spent plenty of time with them during Pirates’ alumni events.

“I’m very proud, after I got to know them, that they all played the game with the same thoughts that I did,” Tekulve said. “That was, every day when you walked into the clubhouse, when you pulled on your jersey, you looked down, and it said ‘Pirates’ across the front. For that day, what the Pirates meant was, ‘How much can I do to help the other 24 guys?’”

Tekulve played the first 12 seasons of his career with the Pirates from 1974-85. He is the franchise’s all-time leader with 158 saves and holds the National League record for innings pitched by a reliever with 1,436 2/3.

Face still holds the Pirates’ career record with 802 games pitched even though his 16-year career ended in 1969. His 96 lifetime wins in relief is the NL record, and his 18-1 record in ‘59 remains the Major League single-season record for wins by a reliever.

Face was proud to be inducted with two of his former teammates.

“It’s an honor to be inducted with them,” Face said. “It’s really an honor.”

Friend and Groat were honored posthumously.

Friend holds the Pirates’ career record for starts (477), innings pitched (3,481) and strikeouts (1,682). He pitched for the Pirates from 1951-65 and died in 2019.

“My dad, to this day, is the best man I’ve ever met, and it’s not even close,” said Friend’s son, Bob Jr. “He was just such a wonderful guy. He was very, very humble. He never looked for the spotlight, never searched for the spotlight. But any accolades that he received, he received them with humility, and he was very gracious. He would probably be surprised by all the attention he’s garnering.”

Groat passed away on April 27, nine days after learning he was part of this year’s Hall of Fame class.

In 1960, Groat was voted the NL MVP Award winner while earning the batting title with a .325 average. He was a three-time All-Star with the Pirates after graduating from Duke University in 1952 as its all-time leading scorer in basketball.

“I wish my dad could have been here, obviously, to see it all,” said Groat’s daughter, Allison DeStefano. “He knew that Tuesday, then had the stroke on Thursday. He knew what was happening.

“It’s kind of bittersweet. We’re so proud and so happy about everything. He would have just been so honored to be here today with his teammates.”