Pirates Hall of Fame 2023 inductees announced

PITTSBURGH — The Pirates will induct four new members into its team hall of fame in August. The team announced the Class of 2023 on Thursday.

The new inductees are Kent Tekulve, Dick Groat, Elroy Face and Bob Friend.

Tekulve, known popularly as the rubber band man, was a member of the 1979 World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates. He threw the last out of game 7 in that series. Tekulve had three saves in that World Series, and 158 through his career with the Pirates. He was an All-Star in 1980. He led the Major Leagues in appearances three times while with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he has the most relief innings pitched in National League history.

Groat is one of Pittsburgh’s most decorated athletes. The former Pitt star played in both the NBA and Major League Baseball. He was a member of the 1960 World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates. In that season, Groat was the National League MVP and the National League batting champion. He played the third most games at shortstop by any Pirates player in team history.

Face was a three-time all-star for the Pirates. He made 802 appearances with the team, a team record. He has 188 saves and led the league in saves three times. He holds the major league record for relief wins.

Bob Friend is the final inductee. He is the all-time Pirates team leader in starts, innings pitched and strikeouts. He was a three-time All-Star with the Pirates.

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