Elroy Face, one of the late-inning reliever pioneers in baseball, died Thursday, the Pirates announced. He was 97. Face, nicknamed “The Baron of the Bullpen,” emerged as a forerunner for what would later be considered a closer during his 16-year career, which was primarily with the Pirates. “It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Pirates Hall of Famer Elroy Face, a beloved member of the Pirates family,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said, according to MLB.com . “I