The Pirates announced Thursday the second class of inductees into the club's Hall of Fame, which includes three members of the 1960 World Series championship team.
Dick Groat, Elroy Face, Bob Friend and Kent Tekulve will comprise the 2023 class of inductees into the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame. The four players will join the inaugural class of 19 members who were inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2022.
This year’s class will be honored as part of a pre-game ceremony on the field prior to the game against the Cubs on Aug. 26.
"As an organization, we are proud of the contributions and impact these four men have made both on and off the field for the Pirates, the city of Pittsburgh and our fans," Bob Nutting said in a press release. "Not only are they all World Champions, they have remained pillars in our community for many years. It will be an honor to celebrate each of them later this season at their induction into the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame."
The Pirates launched the club's own Hall of Fame in 2022 to recognize former players and managers that have "made a significant impact on the franchise, the game of baseball and the Pittsburgh community." This year's class found out the good news from a member of the inaugural class, Steve Blass.
“Welcome to the club.”
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 20, 2023
Pirates Hall of Famer Steve Blass personally welcomes the newest members to our Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/dxAfivHfoG
Groat was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1960, leading the league with a .325 batting average and was a central figure of the Pirates team that won the 1960 World Series. Groat was a three-time All-Star in Pittsburgh, and ranks third on the club's all-time list with 1,242 games played at shortstop. He 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.
With Groat now in the Pirates' Hall of Fame, the only two former MVPs in club history that have yet to be inducted are Andrew McCutchen (2013), who is obviously still active, and Barry Bonds (1990, 1992).
Face revolutionized modern day relief pitching after spending 15 seasons pitching for the Pirates. He's the club’s all-time leader in appearances (802), and would be the Pirates' all-time saves leader (188) if saves were official prior to 1969. Face holds the National League record with 96 games won in relief, and the Major League record with 18 relief wins in one season. Face is a three-time All-Star and also a member of the 1960 World Series championship team.
Friend is the all-time Pirates' leader with 477 starts, 3,481 innings pitched 1,682 and strikeouts. He also ranks third all-time among Pirates pitchers with 568 games, his 191 wins ranks fourth and his 35 shutouts ranks third. Friend led the NL with a 2.83 ERA in 1955 and shared the Major League lead with 22 wins in 1958. He led MLB in innings pitched in back-to-back seasons (1956-57), and led MLB in starts in three consecutive seasons (1956-58). Along with Groat and Face, Friend was a three-time All-Star and a member of the 1960 World Series championship team.
Tekulve was a member of the Pirates team that won the World Series in 1979 and earned his only All-Star nod in 1980. He is the Pirates' official all-time saves leader, recording 158 saves during his 12 seasons in Pittsburgh. Tekulve led MLB in appearances three times as a Pirate and shares the team record for most games pitched in one season (94 in 1979). Tekulve still ranks first in National League history with 1,436 2/3 innings pitched by a reliever and ranks second with 1,050 appearances. His 94 wins as a relief pitcher rank second in NL history behind Face's 96 wins.
PIRATES HALL OF FAME
CLASS OF 2023
• Dick Groat (SS, 1952, 1955-62)
• Elroy Face (RHP, 1953, 1955-68)
• Bob Friend (RHP, 1951-65)
• Kent Tekulve (RHP, 1974-85)
CLASS OF 2022
• Roberto Clemente (RF, 1955-72)
• Honus Wagner (SS, 1900-1917)
• Willie Stargell (LF/1B, 1962-82)
• Ralph Kiner (LF, 1946-53)
• Bill Mazeroski (2B, 1956-72)
• Jake Beckley (1B, 1888-89, 1891-96)
• Max Carey (OF, 1910-26)
• Fred Clarke (LF, 1900-1911, 1913-15; manager, 1900-1915)
• Lloyd Waner (CF, 1927-41, 1944-45)
• Paul Waner (RF, 1926-40)
• Pie Traynor (3B, 1920-35, 1937; manager, 1934-39)
• Arky Vaughan (SS, 1932-41)
• Dave Parker (OF, 1973-83)
• Steve Blass (RHP, 1964-1974)
• Danny Murtaugh (manager, 1957-64, 1967, 1970-71, 1973-76)
• Josh Gibson (Crawfords: C, 1933-36; Grays: C, 1937-40, 1942-46)
• Ray Brown (Grays: RHP/OF, 1933, 1935-45)
• Buck Leonard (Grays: 1B, 1935-48)
• Oscar Charleston (Grays: RF, 1929; Crawfords: 1B/manager, 1933-38)