Iconic MLB Pitcher Passes Away At 86

A steady bullpen arm who logged 15 seasons in the majors and played a key role in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 1971 World Series championship has died.

The Pirates said Dave Giusti died Sunday, citing his family. He was 86.

A right-hander, Giusti finished his career with a 100-93 record and a 3.60 ERA across 668 appearances for five teams from 1962 to 1977.

He broke into the big leagues as a starter with Houston but found his niche in Pittsburgh after the Pirates acquired him from St. Louis in October 1969 and shifted him to the bullpen full-time.

Giusti delivered his best season in 1971, leading the National League with 30 saves. He followed that up with a dominant postseason, tossing 10 2/3 scoreless innings as Pittsburgh beat the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS and then outlasted the Baltimore Orioles in seven games to claim the World Series title.

He earned his lone All-Star selection in 1973.

Giusti spent seven seasons with the Pirates, piling up 133 saves, third-most in franchise history.

He split the 1977 season between Oakland and the Chicago Cubs before retiring.

A native of Seneca Falls, New York, Giusti played college baseball at Syracuse and was signed by Houston, then an expansion club known as the Colt .45s, as an amateur free agent.

He appeared in 22 games as a rookie in 1962, spent the entire 1963 season in the minors, then returned to the majors for good after a call-up in 1964.

Giusti is survived by his wife, two daughters, and four grandchildren.

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