Averill Park has always been famous as the place where comedian Jerry Lewis lived and worked as a soda jerk as a kid. But the little community is also famous for something else. During much of the 20th century, it was the home of Faith Mills.

Faith Mills was a major textile factory established in 1897 as the Faith Knitting Company (renamed Faith Mills in 1929). It produced wool and cotton knitted goods such as long underwear, shirts, and other garments. At its peak, the mill employed hundreds of local workers and was a central part of Averill Park’s industrial and social life; it even had a “clubhouse” for employee gatherings and entertainment.

During World War II, Faith Mills manufactured wool blankets and thermal knit garments for the U.S. military services, earning multiple Army-Navy “E” Production awards. After the war and changing textile economics, the mill declined and ultimately closed in 1962.

Today, the complex’s historic buildings are repurposed for other uses, including the art community, “Art, Letters and Numbers,” and Faith Mills remains an important part of Averill Park’s industrial heritage.

On April 20, 1942, Mr. and Mrs. James Yokubait and family, who had run the Faith Mills Boarding House since 1940, moved to Fort Plain. On November 14, 1942, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Face took over and moved into the Faith Mills Boarding house, which they then operated.

The Face family was not your average family. Before taking over the boarding house, Joseph worked for the Shakers at the South Family in Mount Lebanon, tending to the cows and horses. Joseph had two sons, Joseph Jr., and the younger Elroy (Roy).

The younger Roy pitched and played shortstop at Averill Park High School and had no intention of playing professional baseball. After Roy finished high school in Averill Park, he trained to become a carpenter, but then he joined the army toward the end of World War II. By 1948, he was still playing local ball, but the rest is history. According to his Wikipedia entry:

“Elroy Leon Face (born February 20, 1928) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. During a 17-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he pitched primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates. A pioneer of modern relief pitching, he was the archetype of what came to be known as the closer, and the National League’s greatest reliever until the late 1960s, setting numerous league records during his career. Face was the first major leaguer to save 20 games more than once, leading the league three times and finishing second three times; in 1959, he set the still-standing major league record for winning percentage (.947), and single-season wins in relief, with 18 wins against only one loss. “

Face made his MLB debut in 1953 but emerged as a force beginning in 1956 when the Pirates committed to using him almost exclusively out of the bullpen. His defining season came in 1959, when he posted an extraordinary 18–1 record with a 2.70 ERA, which is still the most wins ever recorded by a relief pitcher in a single season.

At a time when the “save” statistic did not yet exist (it was introduced in 1969), Face regularly entered high-leverage situations to preserve narrow leads.

A master of the forkball, Face baffled hitters with late movement and impeccable control. Between 1956 and 1964, he won 10 or more games in a season six times, which is remarkable for a reliever. He was selected to six All-Star teams.

Face played a critical role in the Pirates’ championship run during the 1960 World Series against the New York Yankees. He earned three victories in the Series, including a key relief performance in Game 7, which ended with Bill Mazeroski’s legendary walk-off home run. The Pirates captured their first World Series title since 1925.

He held the NL record for career games pitched (846) from 1967 until 1986, and the league record for career saves (193) from 1962 until 1982; he still holds the NL record for career wins in relief (96), and he held the league mark for career innings pitched in relief (1,211⅓) until 1983. On his retirement, he ranked third in major league history in saves behind Wilhelm. Nicknamed “The Baron”, he holds the Pirates franchise records for career games (802) and saves (193).

He was born in nearby Stephentown, New York. He signed with the Pirates organization in 1949 after serving in the U.S. military during the Korean War era. Initially developed as a starting pitcher in the minor leagues, he struggled with consistency before being converted to a full-time reliever in the mid-1950s, a role that would define his career.

Roy died recently on February 12th at the age of 97. He was living in North Versailles, Pennsylvania.

He should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame with his record.

Face remains one of the most important early figures in bullpen strategy and is widely credited with helping establish the modern closer archetype. His number 26 remains associated with his enduring legacy in Pittsburgh baseball history.

Got History? Don is the author of a dozen books about his hometown. You can reach him at drittner@aol.com

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